A/N: I'd like to thank all of you for sticking with this story. I know that updates are few and far between these days, and it's hard to remember what's going on, never mind care. Thank you for caring.

Thanks to AlltheOtherNamesAreUsed and twitina for holding my hand these past few hours while I tweaked and refined the chapter.

In the last chapter Bella bonded with some college peers on a weekend outdoor orientation, and of course, managed to have a bad fall. That night Carlisle came home and missing her, he paused outside her door to reassure himself of her presence in the house. This chapter picks up where the last left off.

~*~ Chapter Twenty-Four ~*~

Carlisle wasn't alone in his office for long. Esme came up the stairs, her familiar soft tread announcing her presence. "Carlisle," she said gently.

"Good evening, Esme," Carlisle returned. Out of respect, he stood up and didn't sit down again until Esme had seated herself in an adjacent armchair.

"I heard you pause outside Bella's door. I wanted to let you know that she's fine."

"Why wouldn't she be?"

"She had a bit of a fall on her OINK trip. A few bruises and scrapes, but all minor. Didn't you smell the dried blood?"

Carlisle shook his head, frowning. "No, how long ago was this?"

"I understand that it was around noontime."

"Sixteen hours ago." Carlisle nodded thoughtfully. "You said Bella's physically fine. Is she alright, otherwise?"

"Well, she might be a little embarrassed," Esme said with a slight smile. "I think she had a great time, otherwise. It was good for her."

"Good. I certainly had my doubts when I first learned of it."

Esme crossed her legs and rested her folded hands on her knee. "Bella's got to be free to make her own decisions."

Carlisle raised an eyebrow at Esme. "Now why would you say something like that to me?"

Esme looked startled. "I was just…"

"Have I ever interfered in Bella's life?"

"Carlisle, calm down, I wasn't trying to say that you were. What's got you acting this way?"

"Answer my question first. What made you say that?"

Esme hesitated, obviously searching for the right words. "I suppose I meant to convey that I'm glad Bella went on this orientation trip. I think it's important that Bella be a college student, and a part of me is worried that living with us might hinder her."

"Do you think we made the wrong decision moving out here with her?"

"No! Not at all. You know that I love Bella, and I'm glad she's living with us now. But it does make things a little harder on her than it would for a regular college student. You can't deny that."

Carlisle's silence showed his agreement. He left his seat and turned to walk away and face out the window. Behind him, he felt Esme hesitate before she came over and placed a hand on the back of his shoulder.

"Carlisle, tell me what's wrong."

The touch of her hand was comforting and it shifted him out of his pensive state. Esme was only showing him concern. Carlisle sighed. "I guess I'm just frustrated. I am tired of people trying to tell me how I should behave with Bella, and I am sorry for taking it out on you."

"Who's saying this to you?"

Carlisle turned around. "Charlie was the first. That day when he came to my office, he essentially told me that he trusts me with Bella's life and I'd better be careful with it. Then in Chicago, Renee accused me of trying to set myself up as her sugar daddy."

"She didn't!"

"Of course, she couldn't have been more wrong, but…"

Esme was watching him carefully. "But?"

Carlisle looked away from Esme and started pacing. "Ever since that conversation I just haven't felt right."

"Because of Bella?"

"Yes. We've made all this effort to move out here in order to remain a part of her life, but I'm more distanced from her than I've ever been. I have pulled away, even though there has never been any question of something inappropriate between us. Bella and I have always been close, and I've never regretted that, but I certainly don't want it getting in her way."

"What do you mean?"

Carlisle stopped and from across room turned to face Esme. "I think that Bella can hardly be able to develop an attachment if she spends her free moments talking with me in my office, or having a cuddle on the couch."

"So you're deliberately making yourself unavailable."

"Yes. My hours at the hospital are exactly what they would have been even if Renee hadn't made an accusation, but I have been less responsive to Bella's affection."

"And you're making yourself miserable in turn." Carlisle didn't disagree. Esme had always known how to read him well. Now that he'd stopped pacing, Esme moved over to Carlisle again. She put both hands on his shoulders and looked right up at him.

Carlisle tilted his head down until his forehead was touching hers. "I want her to be happy."

"Does it make her happy to be isolated from her best friend?"

Carlisle straightened. "Alice-"

"Bullshit. You're the first person Bella goes to when she wants to share something, and have been from the very beginning." When Carlisle said nothing, Esme pushed on. "I think you're making a mistake, pulling back from her. Be her friend, Carlisle, and don't worry about anything else."

Esme left the room and after a moment Carlisle returned to the seat behind his desk. He wanted to listen to Esme, he really did, but a part of him felt that he simply wasn't capable of going back to the way things used to be. The mutual affection he and Bella shared was intimate, a little too intimate for a young woman who needed to meet young men and have a chance at love. His reason for distance was valid, but Esme had gently shown him how foolish he'd been. He'd gone too far in the other direction. Carlisle didn't have to completely isolate himself like he had been: not taking the chance to greet Bella, failing to return simple text messages. There was a better balance. He would be her friend; however, he would still maintain some distance.

(~*~)

Bella was groggy the following morning when she woke and trudged down the hall to the bathroom. The Cullens had quickly learned to keep a respectful distance when Bella first arose in the mornings. She preferred not to encounter any cheerful greetings or engage in conversation before she'd had a chance to relieve her bladder.

Essential business taken care of, Bella took a closer look at her reflection. The scrape on her right cheekbone didn't look as bad as it had when she'd gotten home yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately, it would clearly label her as some sort of klutz to all her new classmates. At least she could be grateful that she didn't look like she'd been in a fight. Though if people could see the dark bruises on her legs, they might think otherwise.

Carlisle was in the kitchen when Bella went to get breakfast. He was leaning against the counter, his arms behind him, bracing his body on either side. Carlisle's face was turned toward her and Bella realized that he must have been waiting for her. "Carlisle! Good morning!" Bella said with a smile, delighted. "How's it going at Porter?"

"Bella." Carlisle beamed back at her, and something inside Bella shifted, as though the world had been off-kilter and suddenly righted itself again. Without skipping a beat, Carlisle moved closer to examine her face. Tilting back her head in response to his hand under her chin, Bella remembered that Matt had done the same exact thing. Her face close to Carlisle's, she watched his golden eyes move while he took in the scrape. "Porter Medical doesn't have the same small-town dynamic that Forks Community did, so it's a change of pace," Carlisle answered her, still holding her chin.

"So, is that a bad thing?"

"Not at all." Carlisle let go, his examination over. "You're healing fine." For a split second Bella thought that he was going to cup her cheek, but then his hand was gone and he was across the kitchen. Had she imagined it? "So was the trip worth it?"

Bella took a moment to think about her answer while she assembled some cereal for breakfast. "Yeah, I think so. I liked all the people I was with, overall. I've already got plans to meet up with one of the girls, Anna, at lunch today." She sat at the table. "And Matt and Ramesh have invited us all over to their apartment this upcoming weekend for a party."

"Sounds like you're looking forward to it."

"I am. Matt and Ramesh both seem like really good guys. I think I would be comfortable at their place as much as anywhere. The invitation is open to Alice and Jasper, too."

"But…" Alice announced as she and Jasper entered the kitchen, "we won't be going."

Carlisle straightened from where he'd again been leaning against the countertop. "Why not?"

"You're not?" Bella asked at the same time, surprised. "I kind of thought you would."

"Do you want us there to hold your hand and protect you from the drunk college kids?" Alice was smiling.

"No," Bella protested. "Well, not exactly. I'd be happy if you came, too, but I don't need a chaperone."

"Of course, you don't," Jasper said.

"You can do your first party solo; we'll be around plenty enough," Alice said, slipping into the seat next to Bella. Bella looked from her to Jasper and to Carlisle. Carlisle was frowning but he didn't say anything. Noticing her gaze on him, Carlisle turned and his features settled into a small smile.

"Is this party Friday or Saturday?"

"Friday," Bella answered.

"I'll be on duty. I'm afraid that means I won't be here to hold your hair back while you're bent over the toilet."

Bella crossed her arms over her chest, her chin arching stubbornly up. "Ha ha. Maybe I won't be drinking anything. I understand it's just as fun to watch everyone around you acting stupid."

"It's funnier if you already know them," Alice said.

"What do you know about drunken college kids?" Bella turned to face Alice.

"This isn't the first time I've gone to college, Bella."

"Hmmph." Bella cleared her bowl from the table and into the sink. "I'm not sure I'm ready to drink, but I'll decide once I'm there. Y'know, just lonely me, with a bunch of intoxicated humans and no vampire bodyguards." Bella might have been teasing, but she had to admit to herself, the situation sounded very normal. Maybe she wasn't disappointed that Alice and Jasper weren't going, after all.

"Just be careful, Bella," Carlisle said, "and call anyone at the house if you need a ride home."

Bella nodded. "I will." She turned out of the kitchen to go get dressed for classes. Behind her, Alice grabbed a sponge from the sink and wiped up the few miniscule drops of milk that were left behind on the table.

(~*~)

Making the decision to not drink was actually pretty easy. With no Alice or Jasper, and Anna catching a ride with Barry, Bella ended up driving herself to Matt and Ramesh's place. Which, of course, meant that she would have to drive herself home. As curious as Bella might be about tasting alcohol, she was still a cop's daughter, and she would not drive with a single drop of it in her system.

Bella was looking forward to seeing everyone, and to partying and having a good time, but if she were being honest with herself, Bella was really going because she wanted to see Matt again. Matt had been on her mind all week. Running into him three times had certainly helped that, though she knew once was by design on his part. Just as he had done the first time she'd met him, he'd been in the halls when she left her Literary Theory class on Wednesday. He'd grinned at her unabashedly and went with her to lunch, saying that he just wanted to make sure that she was coming on Friday. Bella had actually felt her insides turn to mush, a sensation she hadn't felt since - well, she couldn't remember when.

Matt had a way of casually touching. It was never intrusive, always friendly. A hand on her arm, a squeeze of her shoulder, nudging her knee with his while they ate lunch. He even brushed her hair of out her eyes once. Tall, golden-haired and twinkly-eyed, Matt was a very attractive guy – okay, she could say it, he was hot – who also happened to be friendly, smart and open. She really couldn't be sure if he was sending signals of being interested in her, or if he was just naturally affectionate with everyone. After all, when Ramesh joined her, Matt and Anna on Friday, he'd done the knee-nudging thing, too, and Ramesh was definitely not interested in her feminine charms.

Nah, she wasn't over-thinking this at all.

There were a lot of people at the party when Bella arrived, which was exactly how she wanted it. Alice had advised her to not show up too early. It would have been awkward, standing there and waiting for people to show up, most of whom she probably wouldn't know. Arriving before the rest of the crowd would have made her seem overeager, and that's something Bella would prefer to avoid.

"There she is!" came a call after Bella walked in. Ramesh made his way over and gave her a big sloppy kiss on the cheek. "Let me take your stuff; we're throwing it all on my bed."

"Thanks," Bella said, and looked around. She'd entered into the living room area: couches, open floor in the middle of the room, and a TV/stereo system up against the end wall. On the left was an open doorway into the kitchen, and the table was full of all kinds of drinks including, thankfully, a several bottles of soda. Bags of chips, pretzels and cheese balls were open helter-skelter beside a bowl of dip. When Bella followed Ramesh in, she noticed the magic markers beside three stacks of plastic cups in primary colors.

"What are those for?" she asked him, gesturing with her chin.

"To mark your cup, so you don't get it confused with someone else's when you set it down."

"Oh."

"Help yourself, love, I've got another jacket to collect."

Bella took his advice, and grabbed a cup. A hulking red-haired guy she didn't know was pouring out some Coca-Cola into his own cup, so she held hers out to him. "Hi."

"Hey," he answered back, and obligingly filled her cup two-thirds of the way. Bella took a sip, and it took her a second to get it when he gestured a bottle of Bacardi rum at her.

She shook her head. "Driving, but thanks."

"Hey there." Matt was suddenly right beside her and he gave her a quick one-armed hug around the waist and loosely left his arm there. "When did you get here?"

"Not five minutes ago."

"And already caught Ned's eye. Don't take him seriously, though. There's a reason why we call him Lightning, and it's not just because of what he can do on the lacrosse field."

Lightning? Bella wondered. Oh, it never strikes the same place twice. Bella blushed, and hoped no one noticed.

"Don't pay any attention to this asshole," his friend answered. "I've always treated all the ladies with respect. Besides, I'm tied down now."

"No way." Matt's arm dropped. "Not Catelyn?"

"She finally said yes, and I'm not letting her go. In fact, I've got to get this to my girl right now before she misses me." Ned had been pouring yet another cup and he took off with it.

"Ned's a good guy, and it's about time." Bella turned to see Matt scooting to mark on her cup. "Just making sure," he explained, "since you're going DD tonight."

Bella turned the cup around so she could get a look at it. He'd drawn a very awkward looking bird. "If that's supposed to be a swan, I hope you aren't going to have to take drawing for your degree."

"Too late," Matt answered. "Hey, look who just arrived. C'mon, let me introduce you."

Bella soon lost track of names, and since he was one of the hosts, it wasn't long before Matt got lost in the throng. He and Ramesh were both staying sober tonight, which surprised Bella. Not because they were being responsible, but she would have thought at least one of them would be getting tipsy since they didn't have to drive anywhere. The party got louder; more people were talking and drinking, and the music was turned up.

Apart from Barry and Anna, Bella had caught up with the rest of the OINK crew, and she practiced a little bit at bumping hips with Lizbeth and Aimee while Liam shouted alternating jibes and compliments at all three of them. The living room was the main dance floor, and it became a mob pit when a Billy Idol classic came on. "Here she comes now saying Mony Mony…"

Bella got jostled from side to side, but the feeling in the apartment was so boisterous, she felt giddy instead of put-upon. As she laughed, arms wrapped around her from behind and Matt was dancing with her. When she turned her head, he gave her a cheeky wink. Then Bella got completely taken by surprise when the crowd fist-punched and jumped in the air, giving the song an entirely different chorus.

"'Cause you make me feel…"

"FUCKING HORNY!"

"So good…"

"FUCKING HORNY!"

"So good…"

Bella couldn't help it. She laughed loud and joined in at the next round, the back of her body brushing and grazing the front of Matt's as they jumped in the air. When the song was over, loosely transitioning into "Promiscuous" Bella turned and gave Matt an exhausted hug. "I need to get out of the press," she told him.

"My turn, then," Aimee said from beside them, and with a friendly wink at Bella, she grabbed Matt's hand. Bella gave them both a wave and wandered toward the kitchen. It took her longer to get there than she would have thought, since she wasn't the only one moving off. Bella found her empty cup, filled it with Coke, and took two or three rapid gulps. She casually wandered a little, and Liam caught up with her again.

"You having a good time?" he asked, but Bella only saw lips moving.

"What?" she shouted, and he repeated himself, leaning towards her ear.

"Yes!" she answered. "But I haven't seen Barry or Anna yet. Have you?"

"No," Liam shook his head. "But don't worry about it. It's easy to get lost or distracted at one of these things. I'll help you keep an eye out."

Bella nodded, and took another gulp of her soda. The dancing had definitely made her thirsty. She felt sweaty, and pulled on her sleeve to rub her brow.

"Let me get you another one." Liam was pointing to her drink. She'd drunk all of it.

"Sure!" Bella shouted back. As he wandered off with her empty red cup, Bella scanned around the room. It was so heavily packed in, Bella had to admit to feeling just a little like a fish out of water. She'd never partied like this. It was practically shoulder-to-shoulder now that more people had arrived. Bella stretched onto her toes to look over heads and see if she could spot Anna, and settled back down onto her heels with no luck.

A glance over at the drink table was better. She just barely saw Liam's navy t-shirt through the crowd, his back to her. He was, indeed, pouring Coca-Cola. Bella was relieved that everyone seemed to be cool with her not wanting to drink. It was a good bunch of people here.

Bella frowned and squinted at Liam. He should be heading back, but obviously he seemed to want something out of his pocket. The crowd moved again, blocking Liam temporarily. When he came back into view, Bella froze. Whatever Liam had taken out, he seemed to drop it in front him. While his left hand still clutched his blue plastic cup, Liam picked up her red one and turned back toward her.

He had just dropped something into her cup.

What the fuck?

Bella remained absolutely still, her eyes completely focused on Liam. He was coming back toward her, a smile on his face, as though everything were kosher, as though he were still her friend. Was this really the same guy that she had hiked through the woods with? The same guy who'd slept on the ground twenty feet from where she had, who'd laughed and joked with all of them? Did he think he was playing some sort of joke now?

No, this was no joke. Liam had slipped something into her drink. He was making his way back to her, intending to have her drink his little drug along with her Coke. In her freaking Coke! Bella would be goddamned if she was going to let him just hand it to her.

Something in her face must have registered with Liam, because he paused, only three feet from her. His smile faltered a bit, but then he seemed to rally and took another step toward her. He opened his mouth to say something, but he was completely obstructed from view when someone stepped between them.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" Matt's words were ice. The set of Matt's shoulders was hard, and it might have been Bella's imagination, but his muscles seemed to have gotten bigger, straining against the cotton fabric of his shirt. "Give me that cup."

"Man, I don't know what you're talking about." Liam's voice was defensive, and Bella detected a faint touch of panic. Oh, he was so going down.

"I do." Bella stepped up beside Matt so that she could look Liam in the eye. "There's no way I'm going to drink that." Following Matt's example, Bella kept her speaking voice restrained. As far as anyone around them knew, they were just having a normal conversation. Of course, lots of people were a little too boozed to be noticing anything.

Ramesh, however, seemed to have cottoned on that something was up, and he joined them around Liam. "Are we having a problem here?"

Liam looked between the three of them, and then started talking loudly. "No, not at all. This is a great party, guys!" He raised his arms up like he was going to cheer, and his right arm bumped into two girls walking past. Bella's drink sloshed all over the nearest's arm as she careened into her friend. "Oh, no, I'm so sorry!" Liam turned away from Bella, Matt and Ramesh, and made overtures as though he was wiping the girl up. Both girls laughed and waved him off. When they kept moving, he started to follow them. Was he really that much of a fool?

Matt grabbed his arm.

"His right pocket," Bella said.

Ramesh immediately thrust his hand into Liam's pocket.

"Dude, what the fuck? Get off!" Liam tried to shove Ramesh away, but with Matt holding tight to his other side, it was just awkward. Of course, any attempt to not make a scene completely went out the window. Everyone was looking over, wondering what was going on.

It only took Ramesh a couple of seconds, but he came free from the tangle with a packet of pills in his hand. "Shit," he said. He glanced over at Bella, then quickly away as realization dawned.

"What did you just pull out of his pocket?" asked the dark-skinned girl whose friend had gotten Bella's drink spilled on her, her face set in a frown. "Let me see them."

Ramesh opened his palm but didn't let go. The girl took one look at them, and then glared at Liam, who remained locked in Matt's grip. "Piece of shit. Come on, Tammy, let's get you washed off."

Liam was the focus of open speculation, now. People had stopped dancing to figure out what was going on, and many of the faces showed comprehension. Two of Matt's lacrosse buddies whose names Bella couldn't remember came up. In a matter of minutes they were taking Liam out to his car, and people were moving again. Conversations started to rise to match the volume of the music, and the party was back to being underway.

"How are you doing?" Matt asked Bella.

"I'm fine." Bella shook her head. "I'm still a bit in disbelief, but I'm fine. What happens now?"

Matt ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know. We're off-campus, so I don't know if the college can even do anything. If you want to report him, I'm happy to back you up 100%."

"Thanks. You'd get in trouble, though, wouldn't you? Hosting underage drinking, supplying minors?"

"Like that's fucking important right now," Matt said with heat. Then his expression changed, and his words became soft and concerned. "Bella. Hey, Bella." He put his hands on her shoulders and rubbed soothingly.

"What?" Bella asked, dumbfounded. Why was Matt suddenly treating her like she was made of glass?

"You're trembling."

"Huh?" Bella looked down. She was trembling. Bella could barely see her own fingers; they were shaking so much. "But – I feel fine."

"I think you should drive her home, Matt," Ramesh said. How long had he been standing there?

"I was thinking the same thing." Matt stooped to look Bella in the eye. "Bella, where are your car keys?"

"They're in my pocket." Bella started to try to fish them out, but then realized that her fingers would not cooperate. Man, she could feel the shakes now.

"We can take my car."

"You're blocked in; it's better to take Bella's." Ramesh turned to her. "Allow me, my lady. I have experience in these matters, and I assure you, your virtue is quite safe with me."

In less than five minutes, Matt had Bella's keys, Bella was wearing her jacket, and they were on the road.

"Where am I going?"

"To Morse Road." Bella gave him the street number of house and a description of what it looked like.

She had begun to shake a little less, and Matt kept her talking. "Tell me more about the family you live with."

"Oh, well, um." Bella had to scramble for the right words. "It's more like we're all part of the same family. It's not just that I went to school with Alice and Jasper; I also ran into Carlisle all the time in the ER."

Matt laughed. "Why do I get the feeling that you're not talking about being a candy-striper? Did you tumble off mountains there, too? No, wait, you jumped off a cliff."

"Stop," Bella laughed. "I twisted an ankle, got hit in the head by the door of my own truck, got fender-bendered by a cougar, sliced my hand open in a race for a kitchen knife, and - " Bella cut off at Matt's laughter. "I saved falling off of a mountain for you."

"I'm glad you did." Matt reached over and squeezed her hand. Bella realized she was no longer trembling. "Running into a cougar, huh? That must have been some experience."

Laughter was just easy around Matt. "No, I meant a woman. She was pretty much after Carlisle, so she used our minor bump as an excuse to go to the ER."

"Jesus, that's pathetic."

"There are all kinds of levels of pathetic," Bella said shortly.

Matt said nothing. They had reached the house, so he simply parked the car, and tightened his fists around the steering wheel. Bella waited silently.

"I got scared tonight," he said finally, turning to look at her. "I have this really strong urge to protect you." Bella wasn't sure what to say. If she was only looking at the surface of what he was saying, Bella might have protested that she wouldn't have taken the drink from Liam, that she didn't always need protection. That wasn't the point, though. Matt's words were about more than what had happened tonight.

His blue eyes were searching her face, looking to see if she understood. Shy for a second, Bella glanced down, and then up again to match her gaze with his. Matt moved closer to her, and then paused, waiting for her response. Bella didn't back away. Matt closed the distance.

Oh, hot damn. His lips were gentle at first, and then exploring, moving against her mouth as if to learn every texture. Bella let him, matched him, her heart pounding rapidly. Soon they were leaning together, and her hands were around his neck, his tongue stroking hers. It was a new sensation and Bella allowed herself to enjoy it for a few seconds before gently pulling away.

They both breathed for a moment, their breaths warm on the other's face, and then Matt placed a soft kiss on her forehead before moving back. When he opened his door, Bella did the same. They met around the front of the Toyota. "I'll bring your car back tomorrow. I can get Ramesh to follow me here, drive me back."

"Sounds good."

"So, I'll see you tomorrow then?" Matt smiled at her.

Bella nodded. "Tomorrow."

Bella made her way to the front door while Matt drove away. She wondered what Alice would have to say.

(~*~)

Bella found Alice in the kitchen, along with Esme, Maggie and Jasper. Jasper and Alice were sitting at the island, their dangling hands clasped between them. Across from them Maggie stood watching Esme, who hovered near the stove where a pot of water was heating.

"Hey," Bella said in greeting. She gestured to the pot. "What's with the water?"

"I thought you might like some tea," Esme said.

"Tea? Yeah, sure, why not?"

Esme nodded and fetched a mug. Once she had it down, however, she turned and clasped Bella in a light hug. Bella was surprised, but then she wrapped her arms around Esme and didn't let go.

"Bella, I'm sorry," Alice said.

"Suffice it to say, we know how your evening went, Bella," Maggie said.

Bella had her head buried against the crook of Esme's neck, and she turned toward Alice. "You've got nothing to be sorry about Alice."

"Sure, I do. I mean, I knew that you'd be okay, and that you and Matt would . . . but I didn't know that rohypnol in your drink would be a part of anything."

Bella pulled away from Esme, who went to the pot of boiling water that Maggie had thoughtfully turned off, and turned toward Alice. "I don't think I've ever heard you not be able to complete a sentence before, Alice. I'm okay, and you knew I would be."

Alice shook her head. "I did, but I didn't see the drink. It wasn't a firm decision on his part to target you."

Bella did what felt natural, and hugged Alice. "It must be terrible to try to see everything, Alice. I don't care if you're supernatural, you can't do it all. You saw I'd be fine, and that's enough. I know without a doubt that if you'd seen me take that drink you would have shown up and stopped anything from happening." Bella stepped back. "And look at me." She held up her hands. "I'm not shaking anymore. I'm good."

"Well, Matt Dillingham had a lot to do with that." Maggie's lips were pursed in a very amused smirk.

Jasper grinned, leaning into the back of his barstool and tilting it on its hind legs. "Yes, tell us about Matt."

Bella crossed her arms, and spoke tauntingly. "Only if you braid my hair while I do it, Jazz."

"Oh, do tell us anyway, Bella." Esme pressed the hot mug of sweetened tea into Bella's hand. Bella took a sip. It'd been a long time since she had a cup of tea; it was flavorful and went down smoothly. Bella felt herself relax even more.

"Well," she began, "he'll be here tomorrow."

"We heard that," Maggie pointed out.

"How much to do you already know?" Bella asked the room, but locked eyes on Alice. "You never did finish that sentence, Alice."

"I know that tonight brought you and Matt closer. You're going to have to tell us the rest."

Bella took another sip. "I don't know what the rest is yet. Something's happening, and I like it."

"Matt does, too." This came from Jasper.

Bella colored a little.

(~*~)

It was mid-afternoon when Carlisle turned onto the long driveway leading up to the house. He'd just worked 36 hours straight, and was looking forward to being home again. He was curious to know how Bella had enjoyed her party. As the house came into view, he noted that Bella must have some friends over. There was an unfamiliar car parked in front of the house, and he could smell two humans inside. They were both male.

Carlisle entered his home, allowing the muscles in his face to slacken, increasing the appearance of being tired. The guests were in the living room, sitting on the couch with Bella. One was dark, of clear Indian descent, and the other was fair. The Indian boy was sitting with one ankle on his knee, leaning back and grinning. His face was open and friendly, conveying an easy-going temperament. From the way he looked Carlisle over as he'd entered the room, he was also obviously homosexual.

The other boy was slightly less extroverted. Both feet were on the floor before him, and his back was straight. He didn't look uncomfortable; good posture came naturally to him. He was fit and well-toned, though there was a slight weakness in his left leg that would give him trouble later in life. He was turned toward Bella, his body leaning.

"Carlisle!" Bella jumped up when she noticed him and gave him a quick hug. A touch of the blond boy's scent had crossed with hers, and when she pulled back Carlisle noticed that her pupils were slightly dilated. On the couch, both boys were assessing him and one was frowning. Bella turned. "Carlisle, this is Matt Dillingham and Ramesh Rana."

Matt stood up and extended his hand. "Pleased to meet you." His tone was friendly enough. It did not escape Carlisle's notice that he'd intended to add "sir" at the end of that sentence, but hesitated and dropped it. Carlisle made eye contact and took his hand. He noted that they were very similar in physical body types, only Matt stood about an inch taller. His pupils were constricting.

"Hello," Carlisle said. "You were Bella's OINK leader last weekend, right?"

"Yes, that we were," Ramesh answered, moving in between them to offer his own hand.

Carlisle obligingly gave a brief shake. "Everything go okay last night?"

Bella's face lost its sunny expression. "Not exactly."

"Bella wasn't hurt." Matt was quick to reassure. "But I did bring her home last night."

"And I tagged along today so we could return her car."

Carlisle knew that Bella had decided not to drink, and he found it unlikely that she would have changed her mind. It was obvious, though, that something had happened. A look exchanged with Alice and Jasper told him that he was the only one in the dark. Why hadn't Alice called or texted him last night?

"What happened?" he asked.

Bella put her hand on his arm. "Some guy at the party was a jerk. We caught him slipping something into my drink-"

"What?"

"I'm okay. I saw it; Matt saw it. I was safe the whole time."

"We got the stuff off of him, and had him thrown out," Matt continued.

"It's safe to say that everyone there noticed what was up," Ramesh added. "I wouldn't be surprised if the whole campus has heard what kind of douchebag he is by now."

Carlisle was watching Bella. She was fiddling with an end of her hair, twisting and untwisting it around a finger. He put his hands on her upper arms, which made her lift her face toward his. "Are you doing alright?"

Bella bit her lip and dropped her hand. "I am. If you don't mind waiting a few minutes, I'll tell you everything."

Looking down at her, Carlisle nodded his head, acceding to her wishes. Bella smiled her thanks.

Beside them, Matt was looking from one to the other. "Well, we'd better get going."

"Yeah," Ramesh agreed. "As much as I hate to get back to it, there's still a lot of picking up and cleaning yet to do."

"Alright, I'll walk you guys out." Bella stepped back as Carlisle let go.

"Thank you, both," Carlisle said with respect to Matt and Ramesh. A terrible thing had almost happened at their party, and they had handled it well.

"You're welcome."

"Not a problem."

The boys made their goodbyes to the Cullens with the usual pleasantries and Bella followed them as they exited. Once they were out of the room, Carlisle looked to Alice and Jasper. "How was she when she got back last night?"

"She was shook up at first," Jasper answered, "but Matt made her feel better as they drove here."

"Talking with you will help to finally clear her mind," Alice said. "She still needs you."

The two of them left the living room without another word.

(~*~)

Outside the house Ramesh showed some discretion and went straight to his car and got in. Alone with Matt, Bella started to stuff her hands into her pants pockets, only to realize that she didn't have any. She rubbed the tops of her thighs, pretending that was her intention all along.

Matt was glancing back at the house. "So… Carlisle – how old is he, again?"

"Uh…" Bella had to stop and think about the cover story. "Twenty-nine."

Matt nodded, and his lips pursed as though he was thinking hard on something. Bella was about to ask him what was on his mind, when he looked back at her, an eyebrow raised and eyes shining. "You got plans for Friday?"

Bella blinked at the abruptness. "No," she answered.

Matt took her hand and smiled at her. "Spend it with me?"

Bella's lips quivered in amusement. He was putting on his charm at full blast. "Alright. Doing what?"

"I'll think of something."

(~*~)

Carlisle heard Ramesh take his leave of Bella and get into his car. He wasn't surprised to sense Matt and Bella lingering. Their mutual attraction was obvious. It felt very strange to him to see something like this in its early stages. He'd seen human couples form through his work, but this time it was family. Alice and Jasper had arrived a mated pair. With Esme and Maggie it had been immediately apparent to everyone, and Carlisle had given them their space after he'd given them his blessing. Or maybe he had given himself the space.

"So… Carlisle – how old is he again?" Matt was asking.

"Uh… twenty-nine," Bella answered.

Standing perfectly still in the middle of the living room, Carlisle didn't even breathe. He'd been right. Renee had been right. His presence was a deterrent to Bella getting a chance for romance. Matt was feeling uncertain and, though Carlisle couldn't be completely sure on this one, just a touch jealous. Not that he had anything to worry about. Carlisle would keep his distance, but he wasn't going to schedule his day around whether or not a college kid had come calling. Truthfully, any suitor that would be scared off simply from Carlisle coming home wasn't worth Bella's time. Carlisle heard Matt prove his worth and ask for a date.

Bella gave the right answer. Carlisle felt a shaft of loneliness pierce through him. Bella deserved a chance at romance with this young man. She was attracted to him, and Matt was clearly willing. It would be good for her to learn a little of love.

Carlisle's gaze dropped and he began assessing patterns in the grain of the hardwood floor while his mind continued to analyze his reaction to Bella having a beau. He would miss spending time with her. He'd already missed opportunities because of his own distancing, and there would be even fewer of them now. Which was as it should be for as long as was necessary and as long as the romance might last. For Bella's sake, he hoped it lasted a long time. Carlisle stopped staring at minute patterns in the floor – he'd noticed 327 of them – and turned to face the doorway.

Bella was returning to the living room. Whatever would be in the near future, Bella was about to spend at least the next part of the afternoon with him. Mixed emotions were crossing her face as she looked at him. She was shifting from the elation of being with Matt to preparing to discuss how she was dealing with what had happened at the party. Carlisle held his hand out to her, and she took it. They both sank down on the loveseat. Carlisle listened, holding securely onto her hand, as she related the incidents of the previous night. Emotions were pouring out of her. As much as he wanted to put his arm around her and pull her close – Carlisle only held her hand.

Next chapter... Carlisle watches Matt and Bella grow closer, Edward learns about Matt, and we'll have a little Rocky Horror. Can you guess who will play which role?