The creaking of the door woke me the next morning.

"Sorry," Edward said as he closed the door behind him.

I sat up, forgetting momentarily where I was.

"Oh it's okay. What time is it?" I relaxed a little back into the covers, pulling them up around my body.

"Almost noon. I got hungry." He smiled slightly as he held up the box of Chinese food.

I shook my head in disbelief. I never sleep that late, even when I have nights like last night. Maybe it was this bed. Or maybe it was just because it was Edward's bed.

He sat back down on his bundle of blankets on the floor and opened his box of food.

"Edward don't be ridiculous, you don't have to sit on the floor."

He stopped as his eyes pondered back and forth between the bed and his spot. After a few moments he slowly got up and sat on the edge of the bed, farthest away from me, crossing his legs in front of him.

"Hey I know I already said it last night…" I paused in thought, "Well I think I said it last night, but thank you for rescuing me."

"It was nothing." He chowed down on his Sweet and Sour Chicken.

"No Edward, it was." My hand instinctively reached out and brushed against his arm. He froze and looked up at me. "You were right..about Demetri. I heard him go into my room last night." I shrugged my shoulders. "You really did save me."

"Yeah I'm going to have to speak with Aro about that. That was completely unacceptable." He went back to his food.

"No you don't…you don't have to do that."

"I do."

"Edward…"

"Not another word. It's done."

"Fine." My eyes scanned the room. I didn't really get a chance to see it last night, but it was a pretty awesome room. It was painted a deep red, very dark. There was a whole wall of shelving filled with records. Band and concert posters covered most of the wall above his bed. There was a large plush chair in the corner of the room that was absolutely covered in books, so much so you wouldn't know there was a chair there. Newspapers littered the floor.

"How long did you say that you lived here?"

"A few months."

I scooted closer and took one the chopsticks he was holding. I laughed at his death stare as I impaled a piece of his chicken and plopped it in my mouth.

"So how did you get into the business?" I sat back and enjoyed the food.

"Well. Like I said before my mom died when I was little and I never knew my dad. I kept getting pushed from foster family to foster family until I was eighteen. Then I was pretty much kicked out on my ass. After struggling for a few years, a guy I'd met got me in touch with his boss, who used to be a big timer here, and I started doing little jobs for him." He set down the box. "Then a few months ago, the boss had just stepped down and his business all went to shambles. I was having lunch at the same place as Aro, and I guess someone had put a hit on him. I saw the guy pull out the gun and aim it at Aro and I jumped on him and knocked him down before he could shoot. Aro gave me a job for saving his life."

"Wow. That's intense."

"Yeah."

I hopped out of the bed and waltzed over to his record collection, scanning through to try and lighten the mood.

"So what's your favorite?"

He smiled and joined me in front of his collection.

"I like a lot of stuff. Van Morrison…Kings of Leon…"

"You have good taste." I smiled and fingered through the shelves to find Van Morrison. I pulled it out and put it on the record player.

Edward closed his eyes and leaned against the shelves, humming softly to the music. I stood and just watched him as his face changed and lifted through the song. It was like he was transforming right in front of my eyes. When he opened his eyes again they were the warmest I'd ever seen them. A brilliant emerald green.

"Dance with me." His voice was soft, silky. Smooth like velvet. Almost charming. His hand reached out towards mine.

"I…don't dance."

His eyes stared into mine, holding my gaze. "Bella." He leaned in and smiled. "Dance with me," he said again slowly. He took my hand in his and pulled me close, bringing his other hand to the small of my back as we twirled slowly around.

He stopped us and brought his hand to my chin, tipping it up slowly. He's going to kiss me. I swallowed hard as he moved closer, his face mere inches from mine. I could feel his breath on my face and I leaned closer in anticipation. His finger ran softly across my jaw line and up behind my ear, eventually cradling the side of my face as he pulled me in. I gently pushed my forehead into his as my eyes fluttered closed. This is it, I thought as I pushed my lips closer to his.

"Dude." Emmett burst in the door. "Have you seen Bel" He froze mid-sentence at the sight before him. Edward's hand instantly dropped from my face and moved to his forehead. "Sor-ry," Emmett said slowly, his eyes glancing from Edward to me and back again.

"It's fine Emmett. What is it?" Edward looked down at his feet.

"Um. Bella?"

"Yeah." The squeak in my voice was noticeable.

"Aro wants to speak with you. He's at the warehouse."

Slight panic ripped through my body. Had he found me out? Why would he want to meet me at the warehouse? Should I break the code of silence and call Carlisle?

"Did he say what it was about?" My feet shuffled from side to side.

"Nothing serious. I think he's just checking on you to make sure we're all treating you alright." He laughed nervously.

"Oh. Okay. I guess…I should go then." I stole a quick glance at Edward, who still wasn't looking at me. "I'll see you later," I mumbled and headed out of the room, closing the door behind me.

"Edward what the hell was that?" I could hear Emmett through the door. I stood and listened, absentmindedly twirling a strand of my hair.

"I. I don't know. I wasn't thinking. Nothing happened. It was a mistake."

I winced. Ouch. That hurt. Maybe he was just covering in front of Emmett.

"Bella!"

I spun around quickly.

"Jasper! You scared me."

"What are you doing?"

"Um. Nothing. Just going to see Aro." I started towards the front door.

"Oh. I'll drive you." He smiled and grabbed the keys. I felt a little relieved that he was going with me. I don't know what it was that made me trust Jasper, but I did.

The warehouse looked dramatically different from the last time I was here. There was no elaborate dining room table, no smorgasbord, no party. Just a plain practically empty warehouse.

"He's up in his office," Jasper gestured up the stairs.

I walked confidently up the stairs, hoping that there wasn't a bullet with my name on it waiting for me on the other side. I knocked and waited.

"Yes?" Aro's voice called.

"It's Bella."

"Oh yes. Please come in."

I opened the door and stepped inside. It was just him. Nobody else. I was fairly certain I was in the clear now. If he wanted to have me killed, he surely wouldn't be the one to get his hands dirty.

"Please have a seat." He smiled at me. "So how is everything going with you? Are you adjusting okay?"

"Yes Aro. Everything is amazing. Thank you so much for your hospitality."

"Of course. I'm glad you are enjoying yourself. And you're getting along with everyone I hope?"

I shrugged. "Yeah for the most part."

"I've just been on the phone with Edward."

My heart fluttered at the sound of his name, but my blood boiled because I knew why he had called.

"If it's about Demetri…"

"It is. And Bella that was completely unacceptable. I apologize for his behavior. It won't happen again I assure you. Demetri…"

I closed my eyes in embarrassment as Demetri entered the room.

Aro tilted his head towards me.

"I'm very sorry Bella. I was out of line and it won't happen again." The apology wasn't sincere and I could tell he was forced to say it, but I believed Aro. It wouldn't happen again. Not if Demetri wanted to keep all of his testicles.

"Thank you Demetri. Apology accepted."

"You're dismissed Demetri." Aro flicked his wrist away. It was like he was a dog. Called and pushed away when his master commanded.

"Well I don't want to keep you Bella. I'm sure you'll be wanting to get ready…"

"Get ready?" I hadn't heard about anything to get ready for.

"For the charity ball of course."

"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't know anything about it."

"Oh dear. I did rely on Emmett to tell you. That boy sure is strong but sometimes I wonder if he's all there." Aro tapped on his temple as we both laughed. "It's some charity about saving the children or something like that. They're going with a Great Gatsby theme so I took the liberty of having an appropriate dress set in your room for you. I hope you enjoy yourself."

I stood up and turned to leave. "Thank you Aro. Will we be seeing you later?"

"You shall." He nodded as I left out the door.

Jasper drove us back to the penthouse. I knocked on Edward's door. No answer. I checked in Emmett's room, no Edward. No Edward anywhere. I really wanted to yell at him for telling Aro about Demetri. I gave up and went back to my room to start getting ready for the evening. The room was dark as I entered, my hand fumbled around the wall for the switch.

I gasped as I turned it on, realizing that I wasn't alone.

"I've been waiting for you…" Alice said.

I laughed. "Well that's not at all creepy."

She was sitting on the edge of my bed, her legs bouncing up and down on the floor.

"What's up Alice?"

"I was just checking…to see if you needed help getting ready tonight?"

I eyed her suspiciously. "Really Alice? That's why you waited like a stalker in my dark room for me?"

Her eyes shifted back and forth. "Well….not really. Just partially."

"Okay spit it out." I walked over to the bed and sat next to her.

She didn't look at me. "So…you and Edward…"

"Oh God. Who told you…"

She turned towards me and started talking very rapidly. "Well Emmett told Rosalie, and Rosalie naturally being Jasper's twin told him, and he told me and then he asked me to ask you about it."

"Why didn't he just ask me about it?"

"I don't know. He's a guy. He doesn't talk about stuff like that. So what's the story?"

"Nothing." My eyes shifted down to my hands.

"Nothing ay?" She raised her eyebrow. "I guess we'll see about that. I don't know who will be able to resist you in that dress." She glanced towards my closet.

On the closet door hung a long silk navy blue dress, with a dramatically low back.

"How the hell am I supposed to wear a bra with that?"

Alice winked. "You don't." She got up and started towards the door. "Wear your hair in a low messy bun to the side." She closed the door behind her.

I stared at the dress. I didn't want to move. Dresses like that scared me. I decided to do everything else that I could possibly do to get ready before I put it on. I did my hair, like Alice told me so she wouldn't yell at me later, and did my makeup. I think I shaved my legs at least three times and touched up my lipstick about five. When I couldn't do anything else to get ready I slipped the dress off the hanger and shivered as I pulled it over my body. Thank God there was a built in bra. It was too chilly tonight for the ladies to be out there by themselves.

I slipped some shoes on and grabbed my silver clutch and was ready to go.

"Hello gorgeous." Emmett winked at me as I walked into the living room. My eyes scanned the room for Edward. He wasn't there.

"Here Bella, Aro sent these for you." Jasper held out a huge black box. He opened it to reveal an amazingly exquisite diamond necklace, complete with matching bracelet and ring. My fingers dragged across them.

"I'm supposed to wear these?" I was shocked. They must have been worth millions.

Jasper laughed and grabbed the necklace so he could put it on me. "That is the idea of jewelry."

My fingers ran over the stones again as he clipped it around my neck.

"Thank you Jasper. Um. Where's Edward?"

"Edward went ahead of us. He'll be there don't worry." He smirked. I had a feeling Alice had talked to him about our conversation earlier, and although I know I didn't outright say anything, I think I gave Alice all the reaction she needed.

"Al? Are you guys ready?" He shouted back into the hallway.

"Yeah we're coming right now."

Alice and Rosalie started down the hallway looking beyond perfect. Alice sported a slinky black dress, while Rosalie was gorgeous in red. They both took their guys by the arm and we were off, the two perfect couples and the 5th wheel. Edward could have had the decency to at least walk in with me so I wouldn't look like the goofy single girl. It was okay to be a loner guy at these types of things, but it just made girls feel weird.

"Bella you look beautiful. He'll love it," Alice whispered to me in the backseat.

"Alice!" I scolded.

She just laughed.

We pulled into a fancy hotel; almost as nice as the one we stay in. The valet took the car as we walked up the grand steps. Jasper handed the doorman all of our invitations and we headed inside.

We were directed to a large ballroom that had a great staircase that led down to the main floor, which was decorated impeccably with a 1920's feel. Most of the guys wore pinstripe suits and fedoras and the girls looked like they could have just walked out of a "flapper" movie. A jazz band played on the stage at the front of the dance floor.

I spotted Edward across the floor. His eyes connected with mine for a moment and I smiled. He looked away. Maybe he didn't see me.

"Our table is this way," Jasper mentioned. He pointed to an empty table to the side of the stage. I took my seat as Jasper and Emmett pulled their dates onto the dance floor. I looked around anxiously for my knight in shining pinstripe, hoping he would come and save me from sitting here all by myself. I finally did find him. He was talking with some other girl, leaning his arm on the wall above her.

"Who the fuck is she?" I said to myself, straining my neck to get a better look. That fucker is completely ignoring me.

"Excuse me miss, may I have this dance?" Some random guy held out his hand.

"Yeah sure." I took it without looking, keeping my eyes on Edward and whoever that little tramp was that he was talking to. I didn't care to dance, but it might give me a better look.

Whoever I was dancing with twirled me around the floor trying to make small talk. When I didn't respond he just kept talking. My eyes were fixed across the room. Edward slowly leaned down closer to the girl's face.

"This way Romeo…" I took the lead and started towards Edward. He still didn't acknowledge that I was even there. Geez the other night, he came right to me when…when Demetri started dancing with me. I was finally starting to get it. He felt threatened the other night. This yahoo I was dancing with didn't present a challenge to him. I needed to find the most gorgeous guy in here and get him to dance with me, and I got bonus points if I could look like I was enjoying it.

"Sorry you won't do…" I looked apologetically at the confused man and stepped away, brushing past Edward. I swear I saw him snicker my way. I sat at my table scanning the crowd, looking for the perfect target. I finally found him. Standing at the bar ordering himself a drink.

I walked over the bar and stood next to him, making sure that he noticed me stealing glances at him out of the corner of my eye.

"Can I buy you a drink?" He turned towards me and smiled.

"No but you can dance with me." I flashed him a smile that I knew he couldn't refuse.

"Of course." I took his hand as he led me out on the dance floor. This time I didn't keep my eyes on Edward. I smiled, and laughed, and looked right at this beautiful boy I was dancing with. I'm sure it was a perfectly executed display of pure enjoyment. By the third song, I decided I could chance a look. I turned my head slightly. Edward's eyes were wide as I'd ever seen them, looking directly at us. I turned back to my partner and leaned into his ear.

"Just go with it," I whispered.

I grabbed his hand from my waist and lowered it slightly before wrapping my arm around his neck and giggling. I only saw Edward heading straight for us after my dance partner had spun me around. He adamantly tapped the guy on the shoulder with a determined and frightening look on his face.

"Can I cut in?"

The guy contemplated. "I guess so." I think I would be just as terrified if Edward looked at me that way.

Edward took my waist as the other guy walked away.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing to me?" He pulled me close.

I smiled. "Yes."

"Bella this can't happen."

"Why not?" I put my lips right next to his ear.

"Because I'm serious about my job."

"So am I." I ran my finger down his chest and rested it at his waistline.

"Bella!" He yelled as he pushed me back.

I winced back, completely hurt by what he'd just done. I felt the tears start to form at the corner of my eyes.

"Bella I'm sor…" His hand reached out towards me.

I didn't wait to hear more; I spun around and stomped off the dance floor.

"Bella wait!" He threw his hands up in the air and sighed.

I found a dark corner and stayed there while the tears poured out. This guy made no sense to me. Was I just a toy to him? All he knows how to do is be a dick and then charm it away. It was a never-ending cycle. I heard a disruption on the stage.

"Buddy what do you think you're doing?" The bandmaster shouted.

Tap. Tap. Tap. "Um hello. Sorry for the interruption."

My head peaked from the darkness. "What the hell was that fool doing now?"

"I just need to do something…important. So if you could just indulge me. I'd like to dedicate this one to my Dirty Diana." He cleared his throat and began to sing.

"She's saying that's ok…Hey baby do what you please…I have the stuff that you want…I am the thing that you need." The band started to play along.

"She looked me deep in the eyes…She's touchin' me so to start…She says there's no turnin' back…She trapped me in her heart…" He looked directly at me on the last line.

It was too much. I bolted. Up the stairs, out the doors and down the street. Ten minutes later I was on my way back home, walking down the street.

"Bella. Get in the car." Edward had been driving beside me for the past five minutes.

"No. Leave me alone." I wiped the tears and kept walking.

He didn't leave me alone, he didn't say another word. He just drove next to me the entire way home, completely ignoring the honks and angry expletives yelled at him for driving so damn slow. When we got home he parked the car and met me at the elevator.

"I can't win with you…" He shook his head and looked down.

I turned towards him, absolutely livid. "You can't win with me? Edward all you ever do is win me over and then do the next thing to completely break me. Is this some kind of game for you?"

"You don't get it Bella. It's complicated." The elevator door opened and I stomped out and into the penthouse.

"Complicated? That's bullshit. You're just using it as an excuse!"

"Oh really? Am I? You have NO idea how complicated this all is. If Aro were to find out and he didn't like it, we'd both lose our jobs or maybe he'd just kill us for the fun of it."

"What about Emmett and Rose…and Alice and Jasper…he knows about them and they're still breathing."

"That's because it doesn't affect them doing their jobs. They work in completely different parts of the business. If we were….us I'd constantly be worrying about you doing what we do. It'd make me weak Bella. I can't be weak in this job." Our fight had taken us to the doors of our bedrooms.

"Fine you stubborn asshole!" I turned and slammed the door behind me.

"Fine!" He yelled back at me and then did the same.

I went straight to bed. No bath time, no Edward time, no bath time with Edward time. We were both at a standstill and way too inflexible and proud to concede our ground. A complete stalemate.