A/N: Okay, finally able to get this written and posted. Let's just hope that there is no more FF fails after this. *Snort* Haha, yeah right, who am I kidding….

Be sure to check out the Roaring Twenties-Gansterward Contest that my lovely beta LittleLea05 is co-hosting on with thedarknessofthmoon and Jessica0306. I entered and would love if you checked it out. Link for the C2 is on my profile. Deadline for submission is 1-7-2010. Be sure to check it out and vote. Thanks!!

Thanks to my wonderful beta LittleLea05

Disclaimer: Plot mine, everything else, Stephenie Meyer

Also, I feel I must state that places, names, buildings and such that I reference in this story - I have thoroughly researched. I.E. the place I use in this chapter is a real place in Seattle. I do not live in or around Seattle and have not been to any places listed in this story, so far. I'm California born and raised. I mean no offence to any person who lives, works or knows the surrounding area, people, place or events that take part in or are mentioned in this story. It's written for entertainment purposes only. -Thanks -

Fire and/or Medical scenes are present in this chapter. Please read at your own discretion.

Man is the only creature that dares to light a fire and live with it. The reason? Because he alone has learned to put it out. ~Henry Jackson Vandyke, Jr.

Chapter 10 – Do Right By You

Bella POV

Bing- Bing- Bing.

I groaned and heard an echoing groan behind as I was jolted awake. I sat up quickly and glanced at the clock; it was one in the morning and Edward was still lying beside me. The nights events started flooding back to my sleep rattled brain and I felt the tell-tale blush creep across my face.

"Engine 17, Ladder 17, Engine 13, Engine 4, Ladder 4, Battalion 11, Battalion 12, Medic 3, please respond to a report of structure fire at 2328 1st Avenue. Fire reported in the restaurant Taberna del Alabardero.Be advised, the building is multiple stories with apartments above. Seattle City Police are on scene and have started the evac order. All units respond."

"Shit." I muttered as I quickly bolted from the bed. I grabbed my boots and started tugging them on. "Edward get up, quick!"

I watched has he sat up dazed in my bed, oblivious to what was going on. "Whaaa…"

"We've got a call and unless you would like to explain to Carlisle why you are down here in the dead of night, I suggest you get your ass out of my bed and hurry the fuck up!" I hollered at him as I wrenched open my door and nearly flew to the engine. I pushed the button on the engine bay door opener and fired up the engine straight away. Edward came hobbling out of my room seconds before Jasper rounded the corner down the stairs.

"Edward? How'd you get down here so fast? I didn't even see you up there?" I glanced back and looked at Edward who was standing there dumb founded, mouth open gapping for an answer.

"He woke me up Jazz; he must have been awake already. I didn't get time to ask." I answered as I practically danced around the engine making sure we were secured to go. Jasper shot me a critical look as Edward finally snapped to his senses as they started pulling their gear on.

"Yeah, I had gotten up to go to the restroom when I heard the bell go off. When I got down here, Bella wasn't out of her room yet so I knocked on the door to make sure she got up." By this time the rest of the crew was downstairs and sleepily pulling their gear on. I grabbed my gear too knowing I would have to go in the fire with Edward since Jacob was still gone.

"Enough chit-chat, let's roll." I heard Emmett mumble as we all started piling up into the engine. Today felt like it had been the longest day in history. With the multiple pile up earlier and then steamy shower sex; I had only had maybe three hours of sleep before this call came in; and I was dragging ass.

After climbing into the front seat and pulling out of the engine bay, I let my mind wonder over this evenings events as I drove code three, lights and sirens blaring, towards the fire. It was only a block or so away so we would get there pretty fast. I had not planned on the events that happened earlier. I was trying my hardest to hold out and wait. At least until the first date, even though putting out the first date was frowned upon. I didn't even make it that far. Who in their right mind jumps their co-worker in the shower? Oh, yeah, that's right – me! I don't know what came over me. I take that back; I know exactly what came over me. It had been building for months, since Edward started at this station, I've wanted him. It was only a matter of time before I just snapped and gave in.

When he breathed into my ear and nibbled on it slightly at the accident scene, I almost said to hell with it. I wanted to pull him into the engine right then and there and have my wicked way with him. The mass quantity of people present, including my father, was what stopped me in my tracks. Back at the station however, the fatigue set in and all I wanted was a nice hot relaxing shower and my bed. But when Edward walked into the empty shower room with that tiny white towel slung around those hips, so low that the 'V' shape of his hard body was flashing at me yelling 'you want this'; I couldn't resist. I argued with myself and then decided 'why the hell am I resisting'? He is five years younger than me, fucking hot ass body, stamina that could last for days and he obviously wanted me too. Why wait? I think I had pushed off this impending relationship for long enough. He had more than proved several times over that he was nothing like Jake and I couldn't keep holding Jake's indiscretions against Edward. It wasn't right.

So I gave in and holy fucking hell, it was so worth. A repeat performance right about now would be nice too. The way his fingers moved so capably, strong enough he could hold me up (that'd be that handy stamina) and the way he could kiss. Good guys should not be able to kiss that good!

I knew I was blushing to the core when I pulled up to the scene. I kept looking in the rearview mirror to make sure nobody had caught on to my telling blush, but the only eyes I saw trained on me were Edward's and he just smiled knowingly at me. We hadn't had a chance to really talk about what happened and I'm sure he was looking for signs of my imminent refusal. That I would turn in on myself again and pretend things hadn't happened the way they had. But I knew that was not going to be how things went this time. Heart fail or happily ever after, I was all in.

The whole street was nearly blocked off with emergency service vehicles. It was a narrow busy city street but luckily it was in the dead of night and wouldn't be terribly busy. The building in question was easily fifteen plus stories high; the bottom floor was the restaurant we were called to for the fire. It was a well known restaurant in the neighborhood; I have eaten there many times, being one of my favorite places, so at least my basic knowledge of the floor plan would come in handy tonight.

I pulled the engine into position as Carlisle once again jumped out to go find out from the IC where he wanted us. The guys started getting out of the engine and grabbing their SCBA's. I had Edward attach the engine to the closest hydrant while I too grabbed my gear. Carlisle came jogging back up to us a minute later. "Okay…Emmett, Jasper they want you to go up to the first floor above the restaurant and look for any fire damage, see if it has reached that far. Take a three-quarter inch line with you." Carlisle turned and looked at Edward and me. "I know this is one of your favorite places Bella so you knowledge of the place will be quite beneficial. You and Edward are going to enter through the front door with another crew. You are going right. I assume you can handle the rest from there?" I nodded my head and went to grab a line. "I'll take the engine; you take a two inch line. I'm told the fire started in the kitchen area but has spread."

I quickly donned my SCBA, helmet and gloves and walked over to Edward. I motioned to the door and he started pulling the charged hose towards it. Standing just to the left of the main door was some other firefighters from Engine 4, who I have worked with several times. Edward and I took our positions to the right of the door and waited as one of the other firefighters tested the door knob and then proceed to pry the door open. The smoke came billowing out of the door clearing the room and making it far more visible to see around.

We snaked our way inside and off to the right. Edward was nozzle man and stood behind him to support his stance as he turned the nozzle on; beating back the impending flames encroaching on us. As we push along the far right side of the room we came upon one of a firefighters worst nightmares – a fully stocked bar. The fire had just started to lick up the outward side of the bar, a minute from now it would be crawling over it like an alcoholic being told that its last call. I pointed over Edward's shoulder at the offending fire and he immediately turned on it, dowsing it with water.

I could hear my strained breathing echoing inside my mask. It always sounded like my ears were all plugged up and I can't get them to pop. As we pushed further into the restaurant I could hear the roar of the fire in the kitchen, or what used to be the kitchen. The fire was burning so hot in there that the majority of the appliances were nothing but mostly melted metal. But the most noticeable thing about the fire was its constant flame coming from one stove in particular. I quickly groped at the radio on my shoulder to turn on the mic in my mask.

"Swan to Captain Cullen, come in."

"Cullen, go ahead Swan."

"Masen and I are facing the kitchen, there is a gas leak, has anyone turn off the gas yet? Over."

The seconds ticked by as I waited for Carlisle's answer. I made Edward continue spraying water on the fire in and surrounding the kitchen but it would do no good if the gas was still on. The fire would literally never stop burning and it will torch everything on this block in the process.

"Cullen to Swan, come in."

"Swan, go ahead Capt."

"The blue prints for this building do not, I repeat, do not show any gas lines inside, over."

I shook my head wondering how old the provided blue prints were. "Sir, I'm looking at it head on, that's a gas fire if I have ever seen one. Whether its propane or natural gas is the question, but better safe than sorry, we don't want a BLEVE tonight either way."

"Swan, I want you to safely stay where you are and try to keep the fire back as we investigate the building further for the gas lines. If things get worst, get out. Copy?"

"Copy. Over." I looked at Edward who just nodded his head. He could hear everything that was said between Carlisle and I and so could Jasper and Emmett, wherever they were on the floors above us. We found ourselves a comfortable spot to kneel and keep constant water on the kitchen. The other engine company that came in with us also took up defensive positions. We could only keep this up for a little while longer before it would become a fruitless effort. With the help of the other crew we were able to get the fire contained to one portion of the kitchen, the stove that obviously was a gas stove, open flamed for whatever fine five-star meal they happened to be cooking.

I watched with rapt attention as I saw the flame start to lessen in strength. I motioned for the guys to open their nozzles all the way and concentrate the water to that one spot. As they did this I heard Carlisle's voice crackle over the radio. "Cullen to Swan, come in."

"Swan, go ahead."

"You were right, Lieutenant Swan. We located a propane tank half mile down the road that various business' on this street are plugged into. We have the propane company in route to check their lines and tank. All we need is for the fire to be out and we can send the arson investigator in too. Good work Swan." I motioned to the guys to wrap it up and stood behind Edward as we pushed forward and assaulted the fire. It was out within seconds.

The next two hours were spent digging through the restaurant doing mop up. We had to make sure the fire was indeed completely out. We also had to have the building inspector come out and verify that the ceiling of the restaurant would withhold the rest of the building. Luckily enough, the fire had kept pretty close to the ground, only destroying all of the tables and the kitchen area.

By the time mop up was done, the arson investigation complete (ruled accidental), propane company and building inspector were finished; it was nearing five in the morning. We groggily climbed our tired asses back into the engine and headed to the station. During our mop up of the fire we had heard another call come through the radio. Another fire on the other side of town, one we would have been called for too had we not already been assigned to this fire. The week was already shaping up to be a busy one.

And busy it was. Over the next three days we had no less than twelve calls more that week. Multiple fires, mainly chimney fires gone awry; many accidents with all the students in school just getting their license or apparently forgetting how to drive in the Pacific Northwest plus far more medicals than we usually get. Before I had time to comprehend all of the events of the week, it was Friday morning and we were being released for the much needed three day weekend. The weekend in which I had a date with Edward. Shit. Tonight we would finally get to face what happened at the beginning of the week. We were so swamped with calls this week that we barely got a word in edge wise to each other.

I sighed internally as I grabbed my bag and headed for the door to walk back to my studio. Every weekend since that first weekend Edward stayed over, he came to my studio for at least one night of the weekend. I honestly don't know how things between us managed to stay how they were up until this week. Theoretically speaking, we should have fucked like bunnies far sooner than now. But alas, we both have far more self control than any two sexually healthy adults should have had. I had barely made it twenty feet from the engine bay down the side walk before I heard my name. I turned to see Edward jogging up to me.

"Where do you think you are sneaking off to?" He whispered in my ear and placed a quick kiss against my neck. I glanced back over my shoulder quickly to make sure nobody from the station had seen us. Edward noticed and frowned a little bit but quickly masked it so I wouldn't see. I did of course. "We need to talk." He murmured a second later.

"I agree. Can it wait until we at least get to my studio?" He nodded in affirmation.

The several blocks between my apartment and the station were spent walking in silence. Days of the comfortable silence between us were long gone. This walk was filled with tension and stress. I didn't know what he was going to say and I was almost positive that he thought I was going to hide myself away again. We climbed the steps to my studio and quietly walked in. I walked over to the stove and filled the teapot with some water. I was stalling, I knew it and I was sure he did too.

"Bella, we need to talk. After what happened at the beginning of the week and then after this whole busy week….if you regret it just tell me right now and get it over with." I cut him off.

"Edward, I know it was a spur of the moment kind of thing, but I don't regret it. That was a long time coming." The somber expression he was wearing was quickly replaced with a cocky smirk.

"Okay." He took a breath. "So where does this leave us now?"

I pulled the whistling teapot off the stove and started pouring some tea. I motioned to Edward to see if he wanted any and he just shook his head no. "I think this leaves us with an empty day today and a date tonight." I smiled at him.

"And in the long run?" Sitting on the barstool at my counter I could see what I hadn't taken notice of before. He had his hands in his lap, head kind of hung low and I immediately chided myself for my behavior towards him before. In that instant, I really could see how young and innocent he was compared to me. I could also see how far he let himself fall into this idea of "us". Alice was right all those months ago, Edward's heart was in this and now I held it in the palm of my hand. One wrong move and I could turn everything to shit. I took a deep breath hoping my answer was the right one.

"And in the long run we will see how everything goes. But I would like to keep my new boyfriend a secret for a while from the crew. Lord knows Emmett would never let us live it down." I tried to smile and sound casual, calm and make a small joke of it. If I was being honest with myself, my heart might have been into this idea of "us" a little further than I thought it was. And I wasn't quite sure if I was ready to reveal that yet, even to myself for that matter.

Edward stood up from the other side of the counter and walked over to me. He pulled me into a hug; I immediately wrapped my arms around his waist and looked up at him. "I don't want to share my new relationship with anyone else right now either." He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss started off slow and sensual, but as I tried to deepen it he pulled away, smiling. "If I don't go home now then we will never make it to our date tonight."He laughed and I joked along with him. "Besides, I was raised to be a gentleman…" I snorted and he raised an eyebrow at me. "…as I was saying…I was raised to be a gentleman and I at least want to do the first date right. Sex before hand isn't quite right."

"Too bad mister, because unless that was your evil twin a few days ago, we've already done that." I laughed as I poked him in the chest.

He turned and walked to my door, tugging it open. "Yes, well….consider that a trail run. Now that we are official, I plan on doing right by you, which means a date, flowers and an actual bed this time."

"What makes you think you're getting luck again tonight? I don't put out until after the third date!"

He laugh as he slipped out the door, yelling "I'll see you at seven!" on the way out. I huffed and grabbed my tea. I walked over to the couch and took a seat. I wasn't thoroughly exhausted yet so I thought I would spend the day catching up on my DVR shows from the week. I was half way through Private Practice when I passed out. I woke up sometime later to the sound of my phone ringing. I glanced at the screen and saw 'unknown' flash across it. I didn't even bother answering it and quickly sent it to voicemail.

I stretched languidly across my couch and looked over at the clock. It was just after five in the afternoon. I guess I had been more tired than I originally thought. I got up and started getting around. Took a shower and pulled on a decent outfit; nice pair of jeans and silky silver top that Alice had got me on her last shopping trip with Rose. A pair of black ballet flats and my hair down for once, topped off my outfit. I didn't know where Edward was taking me but I figured it wasn't going to be too fancy of a place. Or…at least I hoped it wasn't.

At exactly seven there was a knock at my door. I grabbed my small purse and my jacket and headed to the door. On the other side was delicious looking Edward. He was dressed in a nice pair of jeans too with a dark blue button up dress shirt on, sleeves rolled up. His hair was still the same sexy mess it always was. I wonder if it was like that because he was too lazy to style it or if it just couldn't be tamed?

In his hands was a single butterscotch yellow Lillie. I smiled at his romantic gesture. "For you…" He smiled. I turned back into my apartment and pulled out a small vase. I quickly filled it with water and sat it on my counter. "You ready?" He asked as I turned back to him.

"You bet." He grabbed my hand as he pulled me down the stairs to leave. Sitting out next to the curb was a gorgeous blue pick-up truck. I love a man in a pick-up truck. All of the time I had spent with Edward over the last two months and not once did we ever drive to any given place. Living in downtown Seattle, everything was readily available and within walking distance. He opened the door for me and helped me in. I was not use to such gentlemanly behavior. Truth be told, I don't think Jake opened the door for me even once in the brief time we had dated. Ass.

"So, where are we going?" I asked once we pulled away from the apartments.

"Can't tell ya." He smiled at me. He reached over and grabbed my hand placing it on the console between us.

"Why?" I pouted.

"It's a surprise." I laughed.

"Edward, I'm nearly six years older than you, I have eaten at nearly every place in this city…"

"Still, you haven't been there with me so it'll be even better than the first time you had it. Thus, it will remain a surprise." I just chuckled lightly and settled back in my seat. I'd let Edward call the shots for tonight, lead the way. Wonder how he would like it if I called all the shots? My mind started drifting off into an entirely too perverted place for a first date as he pulled up in front of a building, into a parking lot and found us a place to park.

"Serafina? I love this place!" I smiled as he helped me out of his truck. I had been to this place several times over the last couple of years and I absolutely loved their food.

"Me too. I used to come here a lot during college. Funny we never ran into each other before." We walked in and were quickly seated in the busy restaurant. Edward had to have called and made reservations for us tonight, Fridays and Saturdays were their busiest nights.

Conversation flowed easily between us as the night wore on. I got to hear many stories about his mother, Elizabeth and his father whom he doesn't really talk to anymore. His mother sounded exactly like the kind of mother any girl would dream to have; loving, tender, compassionate, charismatic with slight 1950's housewife tendencies. She sounded as though she loved her family and home and lived solely for them. I would have loved for my mother to have been that way.

In return, I told Edward about crazy fishing trips with my father and how he taught me to drive in his police cruiser. I joked that it was because of driving in his police cruiser, having that power and command of the road, that I wanted to be an engineer. Our conversations soon turned to our firefighting careers and what we loved and hated most about it. Even over the last few months of hanging out with each other, we never really delved this deep into our personal lives except for those few rare occasions. Most of the time, we spent our time watching movies, or reading together, spending time with our friends drinking at Marty's. This get to know each other on a personal level stuff was a whole new ball park for me. I didn't do long term relationships, and given the fact that the first time that I actually tried it blew up in my face, I thought I'd never be in this position again. But there was something different about this one. It wasn't hormone based. I actually wanted to know every little detail that Edward offered up to me.

By the end of our little date I had a good feeling about things for once. I not only enjoyed my time with Edward while at work but also just hanging out on the weekends and on dates. It was almost as if he was made especially for me. Oh god, here I go again spouting off fate stuff again. But it was true. The giddy little girl in me, the one I don't let out to often because she gets her heart broke all the time, she was dancing around in circles. I don't dance but apparently my inner girl does. Before I knew it we were back at my apartment building and were walking hand in hand up to my place. I turned in front of my door, keys in hand like every other clichéd date night girl from the movies. I ran up my hand seductively up his chest, "So….do you wanna come in? Maybe some coffee or something?"

He laughed and placed his hand on mine. "I think you asked me that the first time I brought you home." I laughed. "But I thought you said you didn't put out until after the third date?"

"I did say that didn't I?"

"Yep." He leaned in and gently captured my lips. This kiss didn't even get a chance to be considered slow and sensual. It went straight to hot and fiery, pun entirely lost on me as I kissed him back. I licked his lip for entrance and got a groan in response. As if that was a signal in his brain, he pulled away. "Gonna do right by you, remember?" He placed one more chaste kiss on my lips. I pulled back and started unlocking my door in defeat. He waited until I was on the other side and closing it before he whispered "Good night Bella."

I slumped against the door sighing. I was looking forward to getting laid tonight. While still leaning up against my door I eyed my nightstand gloomily. My battery operate boyfriend had broken last weekend and I had not gotten a chance this week to replace it. Hhmm…wonder if Edward would like to go with me to buy a new one. Or would that be a hit to his male ego? Maybe it's too soon to let my freak out of the bag. I was about to finally pull away from leaning on the door and admit that I was going to bed alone when there was a sudden knock at my door.

I turned around quickly and pried open my door. Edward was standing on the other side, hair more disheveled than normal, staring at me with half hooded eyes. "Fuck it." He exclaimed as he pushed his way in and grabbed my face, pulling me in for another kiss. I heard him kick the door closed with his foot as we stumbled our way towards my bed.

A/N: Firefighting 101: BLEVE stands for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion which is an explosion of a pressure tank containing an overheated material when the vapor expansion rate exceeds the pressure relief capacity (i.e. a propane tank). If the contents are flammable, the rapidly released vapor may react in a secondary fuel-air explosion. (Info can be found on Wikipedia)

Ok, please don't hate me for the ever dreaded fade to black here at the end. As much as I love to write lemons, I don't want every chapter of my story to have one; this is not a porn-without-plot story. However, never fear, there will be more lemons later on.

Questions, comments, reviews and love are greatly appreciated. Thanks.