Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, I'm just playing …

Ch3

Her mind was still a tantalising mystery, but I was finding out more and more by the day. Her name was Isabella, although she preferred to be called Bella by everyone she met, and she shared an apartment with a friend a few blocks from campus. It had become a part of my morning ritual, to watch them arrive in the parking lot each morning, the pair of them usually laughing about something as they went their separate ways to class. Her friend's name was Angela, and I found her thoughts to be refreshingly kind compared to the usual dross I was assaulted with on a daily basis.

Leaning against my car, I watched Bella as she tried to balance her books against her hip while she unlocked the door of her truck. She looked up as her name was called, and I enjoyed watching the smile of recognition that lit up her face. She threw her books into the truck and waved, leaning against the open door as Angela approached. The two of them exchanged a few words, Angela gesturing back towards a young man waiting beside his car who acknowledged them both with a broad grin. Bella's gaze flickered over Angela's shoulder before she nodded at her with a knowing smile. I was on the other side of the car park but their words carried to my sensitive ears clearly.

"He's asked me out to a movie," Angela said, hugging her handbag to her chest with shy excitement.

"Angela that's fantastic," Bella said. "Have a great time."

"Thanks, Bella," Angela smiled her thanks. I can't believe he asked! "Do you think I look okay?"

"You look fine, you always do," Bella assured her, "now go on, he's waiting for you so you go have a good time."

"Okay, I'll see you later tonight," Angela smiled and then turned back towards her waiting beau.

"Oh, and Ange?" Bella called, waiting for her to turn back, "I won't wait up," she added, watching as Angela blushed.

I watched Bella's face, studying the emotions flickering across it as she watched Angela set off on her date.

"Still no luck?" I turned to see Alice approaching. "Don't worry Edward, you'll get some answers soon." She glanced over at the couple were now getting into the car. "They're going to have a great time, and so," she gave me an arch look, "so will you in good time, so stop worrying."

"Who said I was worrying?" I countered, stopping as Alice showed me a vision of myself as she had approached the car. I had been frowning, glaring almost, as I watched Bella get into her truck and leave.

"It really bugs you doesn't it," Alice said as she opened the back door and slung her bag inside, "her silence."

"You have no idea," I said absently, watching as the truck rounded a curve and disappeared. "Where's Jasper?"

"He's in a debate with his history lecturer, you know how he loves to wind them up about inaccuracies in the set texts," she smiled, and then looked at Bella and then myself with a considering gaze. "You know, if you wanted to get an inside track into her mind you have options," Alice countered.

"Really, and what would they be?"

"Look," Alice said, and projected what she could see.

I looked at what she offered, and then glanced at Alice in disbelief.

"You can do it, Edward, I have faith in you," Alice said.

"I'm glad someone does," I said, seeing Jasper in the distance as he rounded the corner and walked towards us looking pleased with himself.

"Hey," I said in my normal speaking voice, knowing that he'd be able to hear me. "So did you correct some wrong impressions?"

"Sure did," he replied, "although I sometimes wonder just how many times I'm going to have to repeat myself before it starts to sink in."

"You know, you could always write a book or two on the subject yourself. Consider the possibilities," I suggested.

"Two words, Edward: paper trail," Jasper said, getting closer.

Alice was leaning against the car and rested a hand on her hip, smiling at her mate as he walked up to her and pulled her close to place a gentle kiss on her brow. "Good day babe?"

"The best yet," she replied, shooting me a stern look. "Are you still behaving yourself?"

I held my hands up in surrender. "No peeking unless invited, just like we promised."

"Good," she nodded with satisfaction. "Keep it that way."

"Is that still working?" Jasper looked at me with surprise, "how are you doing it?"

"It's not without effort," I admitted, opening the car door and getting in.

"I hope it's worth it," Jasper answered, climbing into the back seat.

"Oh it will be," Alice chimed in with a pleased smile from the passenger seat, "I've seen it, and by the way, Edward," she said, leaning across the console to get my attention, "that idea you had earlier? Tonight's good."

The drive home presented its usual level of frustration until we cleared the town and I was able to drive at a more satisfying speed.

"Leave the car outside, Edward," Alice advised as we pulled up at the house, "you'll be going out later."

"You're really enjoying this aren't you?" Jasper observed in an amused tone as we got out of the car.

"Absolutely," Alice smiled, setting her books on the roof of the car and throwing her arms around her neck as she offered herself up for a kiss.

I watched as Jasper smiled and took Alice up on her offer, and soon they were lost in each other. Jasper was the emotional barometer of the family, so he more than anyone else was enjoying the afternoon's happy climate. Leaving them to it, I let myself into the house and strolled into the living room to see Emmett relaxing on the sofa watching a sports channel.

Hey.

"That's the best you can manage?" I responded to his mental greeting as I dropped onto the other end of the sofa.

"It's a start," Emmett shrugged as he reached for the remote, "you wanna watch something else?"

"No," I waved my hand at the remote, "I'm good. I've got something I want to work on."

Emmett grunted. The same thing you've been working on all week?

"Yes," I said, giving him a frustrated look which made him laugh. "What?"

"Nothing, Bro, I just like making you work for a conversation instead of taking the easy way out sometimes."

"Thanks," I replied in a dry tone.

Anytime, he replied with a grin that matched my own, and then looked up as Rosalie entered the room.

"So how's your little pet?" she said, dropping carelessly onto the couch beside Emmett and reaching for the remote, growling as he held it just out of reach.

I tightened my lips against the ready retort and clenched my fists. "She's fine."

Rosalie gave me a sidelong look. "So you're not denying she's your pet, interesting." She leaned against Emmett, who was suddenly devoting all of his attention to the football game.

"Rosalie, how many times do we have to go over this? She's not my pet," I said, spitting the word out with distaste.

"Then what is she, other than the snack you want but can't have?" Rosalie combed her fingers through her hair and began to twine some of the long golden strands around one of her fingers.

"I don't know," I admitted at length, watching as she had the grace to look surprised.

"Really? Then do you call what you've been doing?" Rosalie swatted at Emmett, who was running his hand up and down her side as the cheerleaders on TV did their thing. "Alice tells me that you're practically shadowing her at college, mooning over her from afar, what's it going to be next?"

"You tell me," I said, heading towards the stairs, "you seem to know everything."

"No, you're mixing me up with Alice," Rosalie answered, turning her attention back to Emmett with a warm smile and cuddling closer, coming her fingers through his short curls as he shot me a sheepish grin.

I paused on the stairs as I glanced back at them. Rosalie was certainly happy this afternoon, perhaps Jasper had been picking up on that as well.

"What about you two, how are the newlyweds?" I asked.

Emmett gave Rosalie a proud look. "Over 70 years and still going strong, how about it Rose, I think we're getting serious."

Rosalie was all but purring with satisfaction on the sofa beside Emmett.

"Dare I ask?" I said, pausing to look at the pair of them.

"He killed me a deer," Rosalie said, "a big one."

I cocked at eyebrow at Emmett.

"What can I say?" he said with a modest nod, "I'm a romantic."

Rosalie shot me a look of exasperation as I snorted before grabbing Emmett by the scruff of the neck and pulling him in for a kiss that rapidly became heated. Emmett broke it off when I groaned and turned to make my way upstairs to my room.

"Don't knock it, Bro," he called to my retreating back. "You know you want it too." I heard a slap as Rosalie cuffed him again. "Not you babe, the human."

"Just as well," she muttered, "I know Carlisle had plans but you're the one that I want."

"Now there's a movie we haven't seen for a while," he said before Rosalie kissed him again to shut him up.

I got to my room and set down my books, closing the door behind me in a bid to muffle the noise from downstairs. Rosalie and Emmett were getting more enthusiastic on the couch, and I heard the approaching footsteps of Alice and Jasper as they made their way to their room. Carlisle was working a late shift at the hospital, which meant that Esme would visit him later, ostensibly to deliver dinner. I sat on the leather chaise with a sigh, gazing at the wall of shelves that held my music and book collection. Going by the sounds I could now hear from the nearby bedroom as well as downstairs, I was in dire need of distraction this evening.

Maybe I should go out. As soon as the idea occurred to me, I saw Bella in my mind's eye. I wondered what she was doing now. Perhaps she was home alone.

Do it, Edward, Alice's mental voice encouraged before slipping back into the honey hued tones that characterised most of her time with Jasper. I hastily blocked her as best I could.

So there I sat, along in my room, with my elbows on my knees, rubbing my palms together while I considered my options. Could I go and see Bella? I wanted to. Oh how I wanted to. And after all, Alice had checked, so with the situation as it currently was all signs were good. I looked at my watch: time bore little meaning for us, but it helped us track human expectations. I wondered how long Bella would spend on her human evening rituals, as I got up and made my way up to the third level of the house for an evening ritual of my own. Closing the attic door behind me, I crossed to the piano and took a seat, brushing my fingers reverently across the keys before I began to play, letting the music wash over me.

I could play for a few hours before going out. I nodded to myself, decision made as my fingers flew across the keys, music rippling across the room.

I was going to see her tonight.

A/N: