A/N: Hello lovely readers! Can I just say once again that you guys are awesome. I love how each 'torture Edward' review was followed by a 'poor Edward' review. As a whole we have no idea what we want, lol. I know most of you just got your teasers and I hate that this chapter is being released so close to review reply's but I figured you'd rather have it now then later...I hope.

Oh I forgot to tell you last chapter, I know it's hard to picture a good looking Mike so if it helps, in my mind he looks like somewhat like Benjamin McKenzie (Ryan from The O.C.)

Thanks to Edwardrocksmysocks for her awesome beta skills!

Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight...just like she did last week.

Chapter 11

Far Away

EPOV

"So Mike, what is it you do?" Bella asked, sounding as though she actually cared.

"Well I wear a few different hats actually. Most of my time is spent running my parent's store, now that they've retired. I'm a volunteer firefighter but my true passion is an organization I've started that serves to protect and preserve the local forests and wildlife," he said with a cheesy smile.

I really don't like this guy.

"Wow, that's great." Bella grinned. I might have snarled.

"It's nothing. We all have to find some way to do our part for the planet."

Bella just nodded while I waited for him to tell us he'd found a solution to the problem of world hunger.

"So what is it you do now Edward?" Mike asked happily. Putz.

"I'm a photographer, in New York," I said confidently. Confident not cocky.

"Oh that's cool. My niece, she's twelve, she's a great photographer." He smiled.

Was that an insult toward me?

"I'm not sure it's the same thing," I said trying not to sound as confused as I was.

"I don't know. She's really good," he boasted.

I gave a tight smile and a single nod. What could I do? If I defended the legitimacy of my work it would look like I was insulting his damn niece.

Thankfully that was all the information Mike Newton requested of me. So I was able to sit back and observe.

There were other conversations going on around me but I could only focus on the conversation between these two. I was seated across from them on the long bench seat. I tried to act like I wasn't eavesdropping but it was growing harder by the second.

"I must say at the risk of sounding a bit star struck, I'm a huge fan of your work, Bella. I'm dying for your next book to hit the shelves," he gushed like some type of thirteen year old fangirl. Pathetic.

Ha, nice try jerk, Bella doesn't respond well to public flattery it embarrasses her.

"Thank you so much, Mike. I love meeting fans. I'll be sure to get you an autographed copy as soon as I'm finished with it." She smiled.

What the hell?

"Oh I would love that. I've gotten all my family into reading your books," he gushed.

"Kiss ass," I said low enough that no one could hear.

"Ow, shit Alice!" I yelled. Apparently judging by the finger nail marks that were now embedded into the underside of my arm I didn't speak quietly enough.

"Are you okay, man? If you think you're hurt I could take a look at it. I got my EMT certification a while back," Mike asked, actually looking concerned.

"I'm fine," I muttered.

He nodded and went back to talking to Bella.

Blah, blah, blah. He rambled on for the rest of the drive. He spoke about her book and it was apparent he didn't know what he was talking about in terms of Bella's inner thought process.

Yes, I had read her books, many, many times.

I could picture her writing them and could almost see how she made every decision with every word.

I probably should have let her know that I had followed her work the entire time we had been apart but I didn't for whatever reason.

Now I couldn't. How mature would I look if I bounced up in my seat and yelled "oh, oh, I read your books too, Bella." Yeah, real mature.

The rest of the godforsaken ride drug on for what felt like hours so when we finally arrived at the bar I jumped out of the limo like my ass was on fire.

We made our way into the bar and moved to the huge booth that had been reserved for us. Everyone piled in while I went to fetch us our first round of drinks. I grabbed everyone a beer and a shot of tequila before heading back to our table. The bartender was nice enough to give me a tray to carry the copious amount of alcohol.

I stopped in my tracks about fifteen feet from the table and took in the view in front of me. Mike was telling some story to the table while they all laughed. Alice was basically sitting on Jasper's lap her head tucked under his chin.

Emmett had his arm around his soon to be wife as they joined in on the flowing conversation. Everyone looked so content. My absence did not hinder their time together.

Seeing them all together this way made me realize that it wasn't everyone else's fault that they treated me with a lukewarm welcome. It was mine. I hadn't just left Bella when I fled Washington. I had left everyone.

I was truly an ass of epic proportions. All of our friendships had always been so tightly woven together. We would do anything for each other. Three years ago I had the greatest relationships in the world. I could have called anyone at that table, with the exception of Mike of course, at three in the morning if my car broke down or if I just needed to talk and any of them would have been there for me without hesitation or complaint.

I had deserted that. I'm sure it must have been hard on them. We had always thought our bonds were unbreakable and infallible. Now, I'm the outsider who wasn't around to encourage my brother about his engagement or help Jasper move into his new place. I wasn't around when they might have needed to call on me.

I'm not sure how long I stood in place just staring as what should have been my seat was filled by Mike Newton.

Bella was smiling and joking right along with the rest of the group.

This could be her life. I could let her move on and leave everything how it is. I could go back to New York and let her continue on the path that she was headed. She'd eventually find some happiness, even if it wasn't me but that wasn't an option anymore. I was in too deep. Maybe it was selfishness or weakness but I loved her too much to go back to my old my life and not see her again for years.

If nothing else cemented my need to call her mine the close inspection I took of her face did. She was smiling and laughing softly but she wasn't as content as I'm sure Mike thought she was. Her smile—though looking real—didn't reach her eyes. Her hand was on her face as she talked. When Bella was truly excited or engaged in a story her hands would flail around her body emphasizing her points and telling the story in greater detail than words would allow. She wasn't content at this moment. She was complacent.

As if I willed her to, she looked up at me as I stared at her. She gave me a small smile and tilted her head a bit telling me to join the party.

I walked quickly while trying not to spill the drinks that tottered on my round tray.

"Took you long enough," Rosalie sighed. When did she become so damn mean?

"Yeah the bar was packed," I lied. She simply huffed as she took her beer from me.

Bella looked up at me with concern and I gave her the best smile I could force to show her I was fine.

We passed around the shot glasses and once everyone had theirs it was time to make a toast.

"To the bride and groom," I said before anyone else had a chance to speak.

"May your marriage be long and joyous, and may you find every happiness in each other," I said with sincerity.

There was a beat of silence followed by a staggered round of "cheers" and the clinking of glasses.

We all sat around and sipped on our beers while Emmett told us about his promotion at work.

"Congratulations man, that's great." I smiled.

"It's about time to. Do you think you're going to fire Alistair now that you're his superior?" Bella asked with a laugh.

Emmett laughed with her and then went in to detail about how he was considering firing this guy.

The idea that everyone around me including Bella was familiar with what was going on in my brother's life except me didn't make me feel any better. I tried to keep up and made a point to ask as many questions as I could so I could be up to speed.

Emmett seemed a little confused at first but after a while he began telling me stories of the one person at his company who didn't like him.

We were a couple more drinks in to the evening when some song came over the sound system that caused my sister and Rosalie to squeal and drag Bella out of the booth, right across Mike's lap.

The girls ran to the stage and stepped into one of the lines already formed. They proceeded to stomp their feet and cha-cha around the dance floor in perfect sync with those around them. The men all sat by and watched.

"I'm going to go to the men's room," Mike called before walking off.

Emmett looked at Jasper for a moment before Jasper declared that he was going to buy another round and got up from the table as well.

"You okay man?" Emmett asked leaning close to me so I could hear him.

"Yeah, why?" I asked.

"You look like someone ran over your dog."

"Just thinking," I answered with a shrug.

Emmett ran his hands over his face a couple times before looking at me.

"Is this about what I said earlier? Look man, I'm sorry but I meant what I said. Bella doesn't deserve to be put through anything like what you did again. You have no idea what it was like."

"Look Em, I get it. I mean it sucks having my own brother taking sides against me but if you don't…wait what, what was like?" I asked confused.

"You guys' break up," he said like it was obvious.

"Um, yeah man I do know what it was like. I lived it, and I'm paying for it now."

Emmett laughed darkly and shook his head.

"That's just it man you have no clue." He sighed heavily and looked as though he was debating with himself as to whether or not he should continue.

He took a long pull from his beer before speaking.

"You weren't there, Edward. You didn't have to hold her while she screamed, asking why. I did. You weren't there having to fight with her to convince her to eat or shower; Rose was. Dude, I had to take down every picture in my home that had you in it because I couldn't stand to see her face when she saw one. I get you being pissed at me, I do, but I've known Bella since she was ten years old. She's my family too. You are my brother and I love ya, but like it or not you're also the guy who hurt my baby sister," he finished calmly.

He didn't speak with anger or malice just honesty.

I couldn't find words. I picked up my beer and drank without tasting. I had never thought about how strong a role my leaving Bella would play on my entire family. I knew I had hurt her but it killed me to hear Emmett describe what Bella went through. I also knew that—knowing Bella—he only knew a small part of what it had been like for her. She had lost her boyfriend, roommate, and best friend all in one quick swoop.

Emmett slapped me on my back and gave me a smile.

"Okay enough of this. We're here to have a good time and, if I hadn't said it yet, it…uh…it means a lot to me that you're here.

I forced a grin back at him and we were then rejoined by Jasper and Mike.

"Man would you look at that?" Mike grinned and gestured to the dance floor. At some point the song had changed and all three girls were dancing together and grinding against one another in the sea of people.

"Dude, thank you so much for inviting me. Bella is amazing. That woman is hot."

All the morose feelings I had been experiencing were pushed back as I felt my blood boil in my veins. I knew it was irrational but I didn't like Bella being described that way by him. Calling her 'that woman' and saying she was hot instead of beautiful, seemed so vile, so crude, so…me a week ago. She was not some piece of meat, and he didn't need to be looking at her anyway.

"Calm down man. He didn't mean anything by it," jasper whispered to me. Apparently my facial expression and posture were giving my murderous feelings away.

I let out some type of grunt in response and turned my attention back to the dance floor. Bella was a vision. Her eyes were closed and her lips were pulled up in a permanent smile. Her wavy hair brushed over her shoulders as her hips swayed with the music. She looked so carefree and breathtaking. I wanted so badly to join her.

"I'll be back," Mike mumbled as he left the table. I kept watching Bella and finding myself feeling happy because she was. Man I'm cheesy.

"Holy shit," Emmett said loudly staring at me perplexed.

"You do don't you?" He asked, dumbfounded.

"Do what? I asked, still wearing a hint of my Bella induced smile.

"You really do love her don't you?" He asked still looking confused.

I repressed the urge to say duh and simply nodded my head.

He shook his head clear and said, "Okay, I think I get it. But if I go out on a limb for you, you had better not make me regret it." His face was stone and I tried not to gulp at the obvious threat.

I didn't know what kind of limb he was talking about but I nodded again anyway.

Emmett climbed out of the booth and took off into the crowd.

My attention returned to the dance floor where I saw something that made me want to break somebody.

oOo

BPOV

I was having a lot more fun than I thought I would be having. I was able to completely let loose while I danced with my girls to overplayed top forty music. I was actually having a ball; the alcohol I had consumed may have had something to do with it.

Rose and Alice had dragged me on to the floor against my will but I'm so glad they did. They're the best. I miss them.

A waitress circled the edge of the dance floor with a tray full of fruity shots in long tubes. The girls and I might have helped her pay this month's rent. I was having fun.

Something was wrong though, with Edward, not me. Every time I looked over at him he looked bummed.

"What's wrong with Edward?" I yelled loudly over the music while keeping my hips moving to the beat.

Rose rolled her eyes but looked over toward the table where he and Emmett were sitting alone talking.

"He probably just realized what an asshole he is,." Rosalie slurred with a laugh.

I moved closer to her as we continued dancing together.

"You know you're lucky you have any friends at all right?" I teased…kind of.

"Yep," she said with a popping sound and we started laughing again. Everything was going great as we sweated our way through a procession of songs. I couldn't help glancing at Edward but I tried not to let him dominate my mind.

He had honestly put forth a lot of effort in mending our fences last night and I honestly want him to be happy.

I was dancing with the girls when I felt a pair of large hands land gently on my hips. I turned my head quickly and met the smiling face of Mike.

"Is it okay if I dance with you?" He questioned. I was a little surprised. You normally don't see that type of gentlemanly behavior on the dance floor of a smoke filled club.

I hesitated for a second. A part of my mind, for reasons beyond my comprehension, screamed 'No' with force.

"Sure," I smiled.

He was…nice. He was good looking. He was honestly a catch that any girl would be happy to bring home to meet the 'rents. I wished I was that girl, but like every other guy I had been around in the past sixteen years…he didn't compare. God I hated that.

I pushed the thoughts away as Mike pressed himself against my back and moved our bodies to the beat of the music.

His hands slid up my sides as I followed lyrical instructions that told me to 'get low'. It really was fun but my mind was thinking about a pair of larger, warmer, hands that could be moving up my body.

I turned my body around where I was forced to face Mike so that I could keep my foggy mind in the present. We moved together freely. Eventually his leg was between my thighs. His arms were around my waist and I tried to maintain eye contact to keep bronze hair and green eyes out of my mind.

It wasn't long before I saw the green eyes, but they were on their way toward the dance floor…and they looked pissed.

"Can I cut in?" It wasn't a question really, more like a demand. His velvet voice sounded like steel.

"Edward, I'm dancing what do you want?" I said. I swear he must have gotten better looking since the last time I saw him.

"Bella, can we go…talk, or dance or something?" He asked through clenched teeth. Mike's hands kept surveying appropriate body parts while Edward was busy speaking to me.

I knew I should probably tell him to stop, for his own safety, but a part of me really enjoyed seeing Edward jealous. Great, now I was playing games.

"Sorry, Edward. I'm busy," I said as I threw myself into dancing.

"Bella, can you please-"

"Edward, I'm pretty sure she told you she's not interested so why don't you go find someone else to dance with," Mike—the dead man—interrupted.

My jaw fell open and I turned to look for Alice or Rosalie for help but I couldn't see them on the crowded floor.

"Excuse me? Look, this doesn't concern you. Now, you look a bit parched. I suggest you go get yourself a beer," Edward said, well, more like threatened. His voice daring Mike to defy him.

"Edward…." I started.

The sound coming from the DJ's microphone interrupted us and got everyone's attention.

"Attention all you lovely ladies, we're going to slow things down a bit. Now I don't normally play something so old and overplayed but, per the request of my good, about-to-be-a-married-man buddy Emmett, I'm making on exception for tonight so I hope you all enjoy this."

Edward started to say something to Mike but then the music keyed up and caused us both to freeze.

The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath.
And emeralds from mountains thrust toward the sky
Never revealing their depth.

Time seemed to stop as Edward hesitated and then extended his hand toward me. In what could end up being the biggest mistake I've ever made, I placed my hand in his.

I turned to Mike and told him I'd just be a minute. I didn't wait to see his response as I moved toward my past.

Edward pulled me in close and our bodies moved in perfect unison.

Tell me that we belong together,
Dress it up with the trappings of love.
I'll be captivated,
I'll hang from your lips,
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above.

"Do you remember?" He whispered into my hair.

I nodded because it's all I could do. This had been the song Edward had played on the guitar for me the first time he had told me he loved me. It had also had a role in a few other milestones but that moment was the main one. The cheesy nineties pop song could still bring a tear to my eye.

The lyrics played on and transported me back in time.

"Bella…I," Edward began quietly.

"Not, now please. Let's just be for a moment." I sighed before laying my head on his chest.

I felt him nod against me as we tightened our embrace.

Every part of my brain screamed for me to run and run fast. This was extremely dangerous territory.

My traitorous heart was fighting strongly to the contrary.

I didn't notice the song had ended until people began brushing up against me exiting the dance floor.

"Um, did you have anything to do with that?" I asked. I wasn't sure whether I should be upset or not.

"No Bella, I had no idea he was going to do that," he defended quickly.

I nodded my head and gave what I hoped was a smile as I turned to walk off the dance floor. Before I got three steps away Edward grabbed my hand and spun me toward him. His eyes connected with mine. For a second I just knew he was going to kiss me but he just pulled me in for a tight hug instead.

"Thank you," he said as he released me.

"Mm-hmm," I mumbled because I didn't know what else to say.

We walked off the dance floor together, but not together.

"You okay?" Mike whispered in my ear as I slid into the booth near the open spot behind him.

"Yep," I declared with false enthusiasm. I know he was trying to be sweet but the way he was trying to act protective of me really annoyed me. I wanted to tell him he was doing it wrong.

Edward sat down in the only open seat in the booth, which happened to be beside me.

The group continued to laugh and joke around with one another before we decided to head out and go to another bar.

The night continued on in similar fashion. Mike would mildly flirt with me and Edward's knuckles would turn white.

On paper Mike may have seemed like a great option—if you ignore the long distance thing—but in reality he wasn't for me. There wasn't a spark or whatever you're supposed to feel.

It was probably for the best either way; I didn't need any more complications.

It was almost four in the morning before we were all back at the Cullen's house. Alice had passed out in the limo and Jasper had to carry her inside. Edward, Mike and I climbed out after them to help a buzzed Emmett with a severely worse off Rosalie.

Rose clung to Emmett as she fumbled her way out of the limo with closed eyes. As soon as Rosalie's now bare feet hit the grass—she had decided early in the night her shoes were the cause of her stumbling—she bent over and threw up technicolored vomit all over Edward's pants and shoes.

"Fan-fucking-tastic," Edward groaned.

"Sorry about that man," Emmett apologized for Rosalie. "It was an accident…I think," and with that they made their way into the house.

"Well, I'm going to head to the backyard and hose off my shoes before going inside. I'll see you then," Edward said before heading off. Neither he nor Mike said goodbye to one another.

"Do you need a place to crash? I'm sure we can make you a pallet or something," I offered feeling guilty that those were the best accommodations I could offer at the present time.

"No, no. I'm fine. I stopped drinking early in the night. I'm completely fine." He smiled.

I remembered Mike had switched to cokes before we even left the first bar.

"Okay, well it was nice seeing you again," I said awkwardly.

"I had a great time with you Bella," Mike said as he stepped closer.

He brought his hand up to cup the side of my face and I watched in slow motion as his lips moved toward mine. I could smell mint from the gum he was chewing and for a second I almost allowed it to happen. At the last minute I chickened out and turned my head sharply causing him to kiss my cheek.

"Mike, I'm sorry. I just can't," I said sadly.

"Because of him?" He asked with a nod of his head.

"What? No. I just-"

"Hey, it's okay Bella, if you ever decide you're ready to try someone new Emmett has my number." He smiled gently and kissed my cheek again before going to his bike and pulling on his helmet.

Was wanting Edward what was keeping me from finding someone else to care about or was it because I was afraid of someone hurting me like Edward had?

I quickly realized that question would be better left for a night that hadn't consisted of this many shots and drinks so I pushed it to the back of my mind and headed inside.

I walked in the Cullen's house to see that Edward had come in through the back door and was stretched out across the tiny love seat.

I kicked off my shoes and grabbed my bag that was under the staircase before going to the bathroom to change.

I took extra time brushing my teeth and washing my make-up off. The buzz from the alcohol helped to draw out the process. I pulled on a pair of girl boxers and a tank top before deciding it was time to go to bed.

I climbed under the blankets of the pull out couch and rolled over so I was facing the opposite direction of Edward.

"Why don't you just come over here now? I don't want to listen to you whine all day tomorrow about being sore from having to sleep over there," I said in the best annoyed tone I could muster.

He didn't answer with words but seconds later I felt a tug on the blankets and the mattress sank lower.

"I don't whine," he whispered before we wished each other goodnight.

"Rosalie had better feel like hell, tomorrow." Edward said into the darkness.

"Quit whining," I mumbled before being enveloped in warmth and falling asleep.

A/N: Well, normally I have an idea as to how most of you will feel about different chapters but with this one, I am completely clueless. I have no idea what y'all might think, so let me know!

Review=teaser. (trust me when I say you don't want to miss this teaser! ; D )