A/N: Some more glimpses of the world that influences them. We *heart* our BATgirls, who spend their days dreaming of Batward's craft room. A little special love this week to Bri, who inspired a little "man meat" action.

Chapter 8 Intentions

Navigating - E

There was a flaw in the "just you and me" plan. It was Sunday evening, and we both had to work the next day. I wanted to take her all the way home, but she put her foot down.

"Edward, I'm a big girl. I've been getting around the big city for a long time now. Nothing's going to get me."

"I know, but I'd just feel better."

"And I'll feel better if you just stay here. I promise I'll call as soon as I get home. I'll even call you along the way."

"We could just stay on the phone the whole time."

"Tempting."

This day's ending was proving no less difficult than the day before. Our time together was so easy, so comfortable. No pretenses. I didn't worry about the past or the future. When we were together; it was all about the moment. I wanted to be in that moment as long as possible.

"Bella, I don't really know what the week is going to bring. I've grown rather used to our little bubble." I hesitated. I wasn't sure how she would take my offer. "I was wondering if you'd be willing to spend next weekend with me."

"Are you asking me on a date?"

"Sort of, I mean like pack a bag and give the whole weekend over to me."

"Do you have plans there Casanova? Or are you just trying to get to third base?"

"It wouldn't be very romantic if I told you all about it, now would it? Just let me seduce you properly."

"Aren't you Mr. Confident? At least give me some clues about what to pack?"

"I'll take that as a 'yes.'" We held on to each other, not wanting to say goodbye. "Bella, next weekend is solely about wanting to avoid this moment. I don't like letting you go."

It was so hard to watch her leave. I still didn't feel right about her going alone, but Bella is not someone I could or would try to control.

I waited five minutes before sending her a text:

Be safe

Her buzz back was quick.

Yes dad.

She set me up for that one.

I'm not thinking very paternal thoughts toward you right now.

Tease. Could have told me while I was still there.

Come back and I'll show you.

Shoot. Just tripped. Can't text and walk. Call you later.

When my phone rang a while later, I assumed it was her, so I didn't even look at caller ID before answering, "That was fast. Miss me much?"

"Hey Edward, it's not Bella."

"Jasper?" It didn't register for a second, and then realization came swiftly "How do you know about her?"

He filled me in on the back story, and I gave him an abbreviated version of my relationship with Bella. She and I hadn't given ourselves a label, so I hesitated before calling her my girlfriend.

It explained why she'd had his book out earlier.

"It's an odd coincidence isn't it?" I mused.

"I suppose it is." Though his tone didn't seem curious at all. He was on a mission "So, Edward, I've known you for a long time, and I know my loyalties should be toward you, but Bella's special, and I'm warning you not to mess with her. She's not the type of girl you can love and leave."

"I know that Jasper. Give me a little credit." My tone verged on annoyed. I knew where he was coming from though, and if the situations were reversed, I'd probably give him the same warning. Still, I was tired of the static perception everyone had of me.

"I'll try, but I've had front row seats to an awful lot of your almost relationships. You're a charming guy. It's hard for women not to love you when you lay it on."

"What if this is different? What if I mean it?"

"Are you sure?"

"Never more certain of anything."

"Just be careful please." He paused again before changing the subject. "So, how are things with the Cullen clan?"

Growing up as we had, families were meant to be private. We most certainly did not air dirty laundry publicly. I cringed whenever I thought of my dad's feelings on that issue. Jasper and I had been friends forever. He, Emmett, and I were inseparable on the beach in the summer. We played pirates and army and searched for shells, just like any other kids would. For years we were the "three amigos" until the summer Tanya infiltrated the group. None of us particularly wanted to add a girl or to turn into the four musketeers, but my parents were adamant that we be nice to Tanya because her parents were very good friends of the family. But as the years went by, none of could remember what it was like before she joined the circle. Eventually, she was just one of us.

So, Jasper was among a select few I had ever trusted outside the family. He also understood my family dynamic, the good and the bad.

Bella had called while I was on the phone with Jasper. She left a message that even though she napped, she was still groggy, so she was going to turn in early, but she wanted to let me know she was home safely. I didn't want to wake her, but I sent her a quick message.

I miss you. You know where I'll be waiting in the morning. Always.

Monday morning was both the continuation of a routine and the start of a new one. Previous boundaries were down, and expectations were different. We met at the coffee shop, and stopped by our window. She was wearing her bracelet, and she touched it lightly while we examined the new display.

As it had been since the first day I saw her at the window that simple touch wasn't about the jewelry, but what it represented. Alone, the bracelet symbolized my feelings for her. Clasped around her delicate wrist, it was our constant connection to each other.

The window was forever ours. I would never be able to stand in that spot again without remembering what it felt like to fall in love, I mean really fall, for the first time. But the display had moved on, so our pause there was brief.

We continued with the pattern we began the week before. I walked her to work. We messaged each other throughout the day. I walked her to the subway stop after work. We both wanted to spend more time together, but we were still merging our lives, negotiating a balance.

Admittedly, being with Bella outside of our routine made me nervous. Clearly the sexual tension was growing. I knew it wouldn't be long before we moved forward physically. Maintaining some boundaries this week was helping keep my overwhelming passion at bay.

I was amazed by what that woman did to me. I've been with a lot of women; a couple were even listed among the most beautiful people in the world. But Bella redefined beauty for me. Animated it. No longer an objective quality you could measure by features lining up perfectly. Beauty breathed, laughed, comforted, and did this amazing tongue thing.

After spending the weekend on two couches with beauty personified, I was a little pent up.

Reality kept dialing my number or knocking on my door all week, preventing me from truly losing myself in her.

First thing Monday morning, I received a call from my mother.

"Hi Edward, dear. I just wanted to call to thank you for coming over yesterday. I enjoyed having everyone in the same place again."

"Mom, it was a disaster."

"I know there were some rough spots, but I think we should keep trying. It's the only way for things to get better."

"I don't think I can do that right now."

"Are you taking your new lady friend to the symphony this weekend? I thought perhaps we could share the box . . ."

"Stop, Mom. It's not going to happen."

"But if he sees that you've matured so much, maybe it will open things up. He loves you, Edward. You both have a lot to work through, but it's not hopeless."

"You saw how he treated me yesterday. I will not subject anyone else to that. He's being unreasonable. He was a cruel bastard."

"Edward, he is your father. And I won't have you talk about him that way. Besides, you may not be seeing the whole picture, here." Of one thing you could always be certain. My parents would show a united front. She would not talk badly about him even if she disagreed with him.

"What part of the picture am I missing? Certainly not the part where he can talk about me however he wants because that's showing up vividly. Are you all enjoying the exhibition?"

"It isn't like that. And you know it. This has not been easy for any of us."

"Sorry. Listen, I really do have to go, but maybe we can have lunch sometime this week."

"Could we make it a lunch for three? I'd really like to meet this girl. What did you say her name was?"

"I didn't. Nice one, mom. And maybe not this week, but we'll see. By the way, she admired your handiwork at my apartment."

"She must have good taste then." My mom could deadpan with the best of them.

"Sure of yourself aren't you?"

"I learned from the best, now didn't I? The Cullen men are nothing if not confident. We all just have to watch how quickly confidence can turn to arrogance."

I didn't know whether she was referring to me or my father.

For two days, I grappled with what our weekend should entail. I entertained jet setting off to a Caribbean island, but I didn't know if Bella had a passport, and asking her would ruin any surprise.

Jasper called it right on this one. I knew how to bring a woman to her knees. This was all so new to me though. I hadn't been with a woman in a long time, but in the past, a trip like that had always been sure to impress. And there would have been no question as to the outcome. But Bella wasn't like anyone else. I couldn't pull out the old playbook when she'd changed all the rules.

I was interrupted from my travel search by a buzz from Jane. "Your brother is here, and he would like a few minutes if you're free."

"Send him in." After my conversation with my mom yesterday, I had a feeling I knew where this was headed, but he'd given it more effort on Sunday than anyone else.

"Hey man, how's it going?"

"Fine, Emmett, but do you want to cut to the chase?"

"I should have come by yesterday, but I was swamped. I'm sorry about Dad."

"I appreciate your trying. Can you believe mom thinks we should get together again?"

"Yeah, I can, she wants Rosalie to host a dinner party."

"I'm busy that night." I said with a straight face.

"I had a feeling you'd say that," He chuckled lightly in response."Will I see you tomorrow night?"

"That's the PAC Northwest dinner right? No, I'm not on that account."

"I know, but it would be a good show of face for you to be there."

"No, thanks, Emmett." The truth about all these events was that I wasn't ready to subject Bella to the maelstrom that was sure to follow, and if I couldn't take her, I didn't want to be there. We didn't even have plans for tomorrow night, but somehow being alone was preferable to going anywhere without her.

He was thoughtful. "Listen, I know Rose wasn't supposed to tell me anything, and she didn't really. Just that you came to talk to her about the girl you mentioned on Sunday. Don't get mad at her, okay. She was just confused. She didn't want to say too much, so she didn't say anything."

"It wouldn't make a difference anyway."

"He's got to come around sometime, Edward."

"Everyone keeps saying that, but it's been years, Emmett. I don't think it's going to happen until everyone is willing stand up to him. And I don't mean just change the subject. I mean really tell him he's wrong."

"You're going to need to make an effort too, you know? He's not always as bad as you've been making him out to be."

"Emmett, do you guys still play tennis every week?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Nothing, just . . . " How could he possibly understand? He knew his father loved him, wanted to spend time with him. He understood what it meant to have his father's pride. It wasn't his fault. I tried not to blame Emmett, but some days I resented him more than others. "I don't feel as confident that he's just going to change."

He noticed my computer screen at that point. "Going somewhere?"

I closed out quickly, and borrowing one of his standard moves, diffused the discussion.

By Wednesday, my decision about our weekend had been made. There was really only one place I wanted to spend a couple of uninterrupted days with Bella.

I called Jane in to help me out with some of the final details. She took diligent notes and seemed genuinely interested as she asked me about how long I'd been dating this girl.

I told her a little about the Tiffany's display, and she gushed about how romantic it was.

"How in the world did you pull something like that off?" She oozed.

"I had a little inside help. Wait, you used to know Jess Stanley didn't you?"

Her head snapped up from her notes, and she put on a sickeningly sweet smile. "Sure, I remember her. She helped you out huh?"

"She didn't really have a choice now did she?"

Jane looked back down at her notes. She was here then. She knew what happened.

"Never get on my bad side, Jane. "

"I'll take care of these things right away," she said as she scurried to the door.

Just two more days. The anticipation was all consuming. I replayed our conversations from the previous weekend. I didn't want to be presumptuous, but everything seemed to be leading toward sex. I promised her seduction, and I wanted to deliver. Ultimately, hadn't the last few weeks been one giant seductive scene? That was how I planned to approach this. I would set the stage, but she was the star. I'd follow her lead. As much as I desired her, I didn't want to move forward until it was for the right reasons; until I knew she loved me.

I pulled up the weather forecast and saw that snow was in the forecast for Friday. I wondered if Bella would wear her boots.

Make Love, Not War - B

I fished all week for details. I got nothing.

I begged. I flirted. Still nothing.

Edward wouldn't even tell me what to pack. All he said was 'casual.'

On Wednesday afternoon he shot me a text.

Can you bow out at noon on Friday?

It had been a quiet week, and I had a ton of vacation time accumulated. They wouldn't miss me for a few hours.

Yep, but only if I get one hint.

He must have been waiting for me to reply

Dress warm

Some hint.

Alice had been chomping at the bit since I filled her in on Monday a.m. At first she was envious, then amazed. By the time I got to the heavily censored details of Sunday night, she was concerned.

"B, you know I am happy for you, but please be careful. You have a habit of going for the wounded puppies. This one might not be any different; he just might be purebred as opposed to a mutt."

Jasper had called with words of caution as well, yet his were more optimistic.

"I've known him for a long time, Bella. When I spoke to him the other night, he didn't sound like the Edward I know. I can believe if anyone could change him, it would be you. Just please be careful, okay? The world that he and I live in has a different set of rules than what you are used to."

I know that they meant well, but this was different. Edward was different. Honestly, I should hook Alice up with Jasper. They could 'worried mother' me to death together.

Thursday night was spent tearing my wardrobe apart. I had no clue what to pack. All Edward told me was comfortable and dress warm. That could cover anything.

I also had to deal with the inevitable. What the hell would I sleep in?

I am as liberated as the next girl, but when it came to sleeping attire, it was pretty much boxers and t-shirts. Function reigned supreme over form. My lingerie drawer was just as bad. Lots of simple cotton, all very comfortable and classically appealing, but not, well…weekend away or seduction worthy. Alice had been after me for ages to 'broaden the spectrum,' but it just wasn't me.

I spent more time dissecting what to pack for a weekend with Edward than most people did on solving world peace. I toyed with a panic shopping run or calling Alice, but that would only make me more nervous. In the end, I gave up and decided to stick with the usual. Why pretend to be something I am not, even if it was to impress Edward. Big picture, Bella, think big picture.

In all honesty, my focus on packing helped me keep at bay the myriad of thoughts that swirled. I would be spending all weekend with Edward. That included two nights in, what one would assume would be the same bed. That, coupled with his comment about 'seducing me properly' clearly indicated intent.

I have always been incredibly rational, and not much of one for spontaneity. If you told me that one small deviation in my daily routine would turn me into a tie grabbing flirt who was soon to be spending the weekend with Edward Cullen with a very high likelihood of 'something' happening, I would have laughed. Sure, I'd had sex this early in a relationship before. But as much as I am a planner, sex for the first time had always been spontaneous, totally unscripted. As strange as it might sound, plotting this all out felt right. I was nervous, but in a good way. Anticipation of what might be, not doubt.

That might have had something to do with the effect he had on me. I had almost jumped him on our first real date, and again on his couch the next day. Self control and Edward did not exist in the same worlds where I was concerned.

The snow had started to fall over night, wrecking havoc on the city. They were calling for at least eighteen inches in Central Park before evening rush hour.

Friday morning I donned jeans and a fitted cashmere cardigan. It was the closest thing I could find to warm that didn't make me look like frumpy house frau from an LL Bean ad. I bundled myself in a parka and hailed a cab in lieu of schlepping my back pack and bag on the subway. Edward had gone into the office early to wrap up some things, and made me promise to be out in front of my building at twelve on the dot.

At five 'til twelve, I was shoving things in my bag when I heard Eric Yorkie, one of the editorial assistants, talking loudly in the hallway.

"You will not believe who I just saw in front of our building! Edward freaking Cullen…." He paused, which led me to believe that he was on his cell phone. "Yes, you know, that hunk of man meat that always used on be on Perez Hilton…" Another pause. "Yep, that one. He must be waiting for some lucky bitch. He's out in front of my building, leaning against a black Mercedes like sex on legs. God what I would do to change his orientation!"

I slammed my hand to my mouth, desperately fighting laughter. It might be the only time I ever got to hear my boyfriend ogled by a gay man. It was hysterical.

I was already giddy at the concept of spending a full weekend of interrupted time with Edward, which might have made a little bit cocky. I slipped on my parka, threw my backpack and bag over my shoulder, and stepped out into the hallway.

"Excuse me, lucky bitch, coming through."

I half wished that I could stop to see the look on Eric's face to match the "NO WAY!" exclamation, but as he had mentioned, I had sex on legs waiting for me downstairs. A much better offer if you ask me.

I drummed my fingers against my backpack strap as the elevator descended. As soon as the doors opened, I was out, flying through the lobby to the revolving door.

And there he was, leaning against a black Mercedes just like Eric had described. A black parka, faded jeans, Sorels and a Yankees cap to keep the snow out of his eyes. Was there anything he didn't look good in?

"What are you smiling about?" He asked as he leaned in to kiss me.

"I just got to listen to one of the assistants go all gaga on the phone about an Edward Cullen sighting. I think the term used to describe you was 'man meat' and 'sex on legs.' waiting for some lucky bitch."

Edward rolled his eyes and opened the back door of the car for me. "Great. Hopefully you put her in her place."

I laughed and smiled innocently at him. "I bumped HIM out of the way and said 'lucky bitch coming through.'

Edward coughed at the realization that it was a man, not a woman who had been admiring the goods.

"I guess I shouldn't tell you what he said about changing your orientation…" I slid into the car, making room for him in the backseat.

A man sat in the front, biting back laughter.

"Bella, Demetri. Demetri, Bella." Edward introduced.

"I like her, Edward, she's a feisty one." Demetri quipped from the front seat.

"If you only knew." Edward pulled the door shut behind him as Demetri pulled out into traffic.

I turned to Edward. "Okay, enough secrets. What's the plan?"

He smiled and leaned his head against the seat. Nothing. I snuggled into his side and closed my eyes. Edward slipped his arm around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head. This was heaven.

Demetri didn't speak as he navigated through traffic. The snow caused knots of traffic just south of the park, which caused us to sit in limbo for a good twenty minutes. We didn't move, didn't speak. We didn't need to.

When we finally pulled up in front of Edward's building, he handed me a baseball cap and a pair of gloves.

"What's this for?"

He didn't answer. "Demetri, can you make sure Bella's bags get upstairs before you take off?"

"Sure thing Edward." Demetri gave me a big smile. "Nice to meet you, feisty one. Have a good weekend."

Edward grabbed my hand, and pulled me across Fifth Avenue. Traffic was still snarled south of us, so there were only a few cars to dodge. Once we made it to the other side, he led me through the gates and into Central Park.

"Edward, what are you…" a snow ball nailed me square in the gut. The snow was soft enough that it didn't hurt. Lucky for him.

I bent down and scooped up a huge handful of snow.

"You are so going to regret that!"

He gave me a devilish smile as he walked backwards, his hands up in a 'bring it' gesture. I took off running after him, at a massive disadvantage because of the depth of the snow.

"Come on, Bella. You can't dish it if you don't follow through."

"I'll show you follow through Cullen!" I tossed the snow in his direction, bowing down again to ball up another handful.

We spent the next hour chasing each other around the park, throwing snowballs, playing tag, and generally acting like ten year olds. I wanted to build a snowman, but the snow was too dry, and wouldn't stay packed. I made due with snow angels instead.

It felt amazing, like nothing else in the world existed. Just you and me.

The snow started to pick up again, big fat fluffy flakes that reminded me of something out of a Currier and Ives print. I pulled off my baseball hat and stuck my tongue out to catch flakes.

"That's a look." Edward quipped.

"What can I say, snow makes me happy." I pushed my hair back out of my face, sticking my tongue out to catch more. Next thing I knew, I was flying backward into a snow bank, squealing with laughter.

Edward's arms were around my waist as he rolled us over so that I came to rest on his chest. His baseball hat had flown off at the impact, snow flecking his hair.

"You make me happy." He whispered. His eyes were bright, back to the way they had looked last Saturday on my couch.

I rested my chin on his chest, studying his face. I had almost become accustomed to the way he looked. But out here, in the snow, cheeks flushed, smiling; there were no words to describe it. As absolutely breath taking as he was, the external was no comparison to what was hidden deep inside.

A knot began to form in my chest, like my heart was literally being squeezed. I couldn't imagine him being more flawless than in that moment.

"I love you Edward."

He just smiled and traced that familiar path along my cheekbone.

"Infinitely, Bella. Infinitely."

We stayed like that for a long moment as the snow fell. It was perfect.

But as with all perfect moments, reality has a way of setting in. In this case, reality was cold, wet denim.

"Hey, you're shivering. Come on, let's get you inside and warm."

Edward got up, pulling me along with him. By the time we were in the building, I was freezing and couldn't stop shaking.

"God, I am so sorry Bella, I wasn't thinking about how cold it would get." He kept his arms around me as we waited for the elevator.

I didn't speak, just burrowed closer, trying to extract as much warmth as possible.

Once the elevators doors opened, he pulled me down the hallway to his apartment. The door was unlocked, I would assume from Demetri dropping off my bags.

"Is it okay if I take a shower?" I asked as another tremor hit my body. "Maybe the warm water will help."

Edward didn't respond for a second, his arms still wrapped tightly around me. It almost felt as though he sighed.

"Go ahead. There should be plenty of towels in there." He stood in the hallway with my coat as I fled for the warmth of the bathroom.

I cranked the shower as hot as it would go, and shed my wet clothes. I couldn't stop shaking, and welcomed the sting of the water as it helped generate heat. As my limbs warmed up, my brain shifted from self preservation to where I was.

In Edward's apartment.

With no clue of what he had planned for the weekend.

And I had just told him I loved him.

As if I hadn't been nervous and excited enough already. I immediately started second guessing everything. What I packed, what would happen when I left this bathroom, what Edward had said about 'seducing me properly.' I could feel the anxiety creeping in. I took a deep breath, focused on reining in my nerves. I wanted this. I love him. We were all that mattered. Everything else would fall in place.

When the water started to cool down, I shut it off and climbed out of the shower. My bag sat just inside the door. Edward must have slipped it in. Knowing him he would be apologetic about entering without me knowing. I may tease him about it, but some of his old fashioned perspectives really were charming.

I dried off, and dug through my bag. Nothing seemed appropriate. I didn't want to throw jeans back on. And it was only 3 in the afternoon. Too early for pajamas.

That's when I noticed one of Edward's dress shirts hanging on the back of the door.

It was presumptuous. But what the heck, I couldn't always let him have the upper hand. He knew the effect he had on me. Turn about is fair play.

I hung the towel up, and slipped his shirt on. It still smelled like him, and I held the collar up to take a long breath. It helped calm the butterflies that decided to have a garden party in my stomach.

Edward was a good foot taller than I was, so the shirt hit me just above the knee. I buttoned it up, and slipped on a pair of boxers.

I took a deep breath, and opened the bathroom door. Ready or not, Edward, here I come.

E/N: OME! What is she going to do? What would you do if you were Edward, and the woman you love walked out in that outfit? We know Bella is a fan of boxers herself, but the Batgirls have had detailed debates over what Edward wears underneath those khakis…

Reviews are like weekends with Edward!