A/N: Thanks always to my fuckawesome betas bbwraven and Casket4mytears, you rock my world!

Thank you to everyone who is reading, and thank you for all the reviews! I do love getting your feedback, it really does help to know what your thinking. Big smooches to you all!! MUAH, MUAH, MUAH~~~

Frumpy: my # 1 fan~ you inspire me, big leg humps go out to you bb!

Disclaimer: S Meyer Owns all that is Twilight and I am insanely jealous of that fact, because if I did, I would be rolling in the money and not her.

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That woman was going to drive me mad. One minute she was there in the produce aisle with me and the next she was scurrying off like she was in a race. Would I never pin her down? It made me even more determined to figure out who in the world that mysterious woman was. What was more, was that close up, in the bright lights of the fluorescents, I could see the highlights in her hair, the deep chocolate tones in her eyes and the pale beauty of her skin. She was flawless...I wanted to reach out and stroke her face, feel with the backs of my fingers if her skin was as soft as it looked, see if she closed her eyes and moved her face into my touch. It was beginning to be too much; I had to stop or the entire supermarket would begin to see he increasing problem arising in my pants. Kittens, think about kittens Edward, or baseball! Something, anything but her pale creamy, luscious skin...

Standing in the middle of produce doing my best to hide my slowly dissipating hard-on, I gathered the rest of the items from my list, made my way to the checkout and went home to finish unpacking.

*************

"Em, are you sure I won't be imposing? I don't want to crash anyone's party or anything"

"For the last time Edward, it's not a problem. No one's going to care if you're there; trust me, once you meet Bella you'll understand."

"I kind of have a confession to make Emmett. I may have already met Bella...twice, and not necessarily under the best of circumstances, so to speak."

"What do you mean, you may have already met her? You either did, or you didn't. And what in the blue hell does not under the best of circumstances mean anyway? Fuck man! Those are not exactly encouraging words! Rose is gonna have my ass! You have no idea what Bella has been through the last few years; it's been pure hell for her... SHIT!!" Emmett was literally pulling at his hair. I had never seen him so worried before. My God, what had this woman been through?

"No, Em! Calm down, I swear it's not like that! Do you remember the first weekend I was in town and you brought me up here? We were up here so late?"

"Yeah, so??"

"Rose was finishing up closing things down and I asked you where the bathroom was?" Emmett nodded, so I continued, " Well I really didn't have to go to the bathroom. It was late and to be honest I figured I was hearing things-"

"Your point Edward?"

"I'm getting there Emmett! Stop being such an ass and calm down for half a second. Like I was saying, I thought I heard a piano."

Suddenly I saw a light dawning in Emmett's eyes, and I knew he knew what I was about to say.

"Emmett, Her playing was great in and of itself. I mean I've heard people play before and play very well, but when she sang... I-I don't know if I have the words to effectively describe to you how it made me feel. Em, I could literally feel her pain just seeping out of her. It's like she was telling me a story through those words and on her face. It was so beautiful and profound and just-I-..."

I scrubbed my hands over my eyes and shook my head.

"Fuck dude, you heard her sing? No fucking wonder! Rose is gonna shit!"

"Rose knows dude. She came out to get me and kind of caught me spying. I already got the third degree from her."

Emmett threw his head back and let out a loud laugh. "Well if that don't beat all! Wait a minute though, what was so bad about that, besides Rose?"

"Hehe. As I was turning to leave I wasn't paying attention and Bella kind of rounded the corner and plowed right in to me. Her stuff fell all over the floor. I grabbed her to steady her and was about to ask if she was okay but when I looked at her she looked so embarrassed. Instead I tried to help her, but she grabbed her stuff so quickly and took off like a bat out of hell. I've never been so floored by such a tiny person in my life."

Emmett gave a chuckle and a sideways grin spread across his face.

"That actually makes perfect sense if you know Bella. What about the second time? You did say you met her twice?"

"Umm, yeah. I sort of held her captive in the supermarket."

"You did what??"

"She ran into me again Emmett! I swear the girl has a death wish for running into people. I was standing in produce and she ran right into me. If I didn't know better I'd say she did it on purpose. So before she could scurry away again I made sure I got to introduce myself. So, see. It really wasn't that bad. Personally, I say we just show up at the bar and play dumb. No one will know the wiser and Bella won't say a word, you can be sure of that. But I know one thing for sure Em: I don't know what happened to her and it's none of my business, but that woman... there's something about her...she mesmerizes me, calls to me. I just- I have to... I can be a very patient man."

"Edward...In all seriousness, and I'm only gonna say this once, she's NOT one of your girls and you can't do that shit to her. Tread lightly man, because I'm gonna suffer Rosie's wrath if Bella gets hurt."

I nodded my head at Emmett, a deeper sense of understanding on my face, and I think he realized that for once in my life, I wasn't fucking around.

I replied softly, "Understood."

*************

Emmett and I were the first to arrive at the bar and he led me to a large table in the back corner. I sat in a chair with my back facing the dance floor and the bar area, which was probably a pretty good idea since it would not allow Bella to see who I actually was when she approached the table. Emmett took the seat across from me and sat down just as the waitress came over and we ordered a couple of beers to keep us until the girls and Jasper arrived.

"There's Rose; the girls must be here."

I turned around to see Emmett's beautiful, blond bombshell girlfriend coming our way. She walked toward us, her hips swaying in a seductive fashion, her mouth curving into a slow secret smile. I almost felt as if I were intruding.

"Hey baby," she purred as she reached up and grabbed his face pulling it down to hers and giving him a very demanding, very ravishing kiss.

They broke apart, and the love and want I saw there astounded me. I immediately looked away.

"Mmmm, hey yourself sexy lady."

With her hands still on Emmett's face and her eyes still locked on his I heard Rose mutter a faint 'Hello Edward.'

"Hello Rose, How are you tonight?"

She grinned and finally looked my way, "Actually I'm doing great"

Walking over, she took the seat Emmett had just vacated while Emmett sat down next to her. She launched into detail about the new bar blog and drink review that Lunar Eclipse had just started. Apparently it was going to feature everything from new drinks the bar was going to offer, to various liquors from around the world, drink accessories, specials, bar events and even liquor reviews. It sounded pretty genius to me and it got the wheels in my head turning. Emmett was staring at her with pride beaming on his face.

"I actually want Bella to be in charge of the blog. We can all brainstorm ideas and then Bella can write and post them. She really is quite a brilliant writer."

"Would you be interested in perhaps hosting some of the station's promotions? I'd have to run it by the powers that be, but it would be another great way to get people in here and have more content to write about. So it would benefit you and me both."

"Edward! That's brilliant!"

I was about to reply to Rose about getting together later to discuss it more when I saw Emmett lift his head, and a huge smile lit up his face. He pushed back his chair and walked around to the other side of the table. I gave Rose an odd look before I turned around to see what was going on. My head swiveled around and saw Emmett enveloping a very familiar small frame in a huge bear hug. Leave it to Emmett to go all brotherly on the woman I had become unnaturally obsessed with.

Her luscious ass was encased in smooth black leather pants, and they hugged her body like a second skin; I was literally salivating. She had her long mahogany hair pulled back in a sleek pony tail and I could see the graceful curve of her neck beckoning for me to place a trail of warm, open mouthed kisses from the back of her ear, all the way to the pulsing, hollow of her throat. I gave a soft chuckle to cover my groan, feeling myself straining uncomfortably against the zipper of my jeans. Not good douche bag! Leave it to you to finally get a proper evening with the girl and you start it off sporting wood.

Emmett put Bella down and after a brief moment they turned around and I found myself entranced, not by her body this time, but the deep chocolate pools of her eyes. They spoke to me. Her eyelids slipped lower down over her eyes, like she was trying to hide herself. I could see she was struggling internally and I couldn't help but be slightly amused by her modesty, her seeming shyness with me. A slight smile played about my lips.

"Bella, I'd like you to meet my brother Edward, Edward, this is Bella."

I could tell that she had not been forewarned about my presence and at this point she was not only saying nothing, but looking from me to Rose and back again in such uncomfortable silence I was willing at that point to do almost anything to make her feel better. Hell, I'd say anything at that point just to ease her discomfort.

"Bella, have the two of you met before?" Rose had the most quizzical look on her face.

"Actually, Rose," I said "I was having some trouble picking out some tomatoes at the supermarket a couple weeks ago and Bella just happened to be there, and was kind enough to step up and help me. I didn't know she was a friend of yours. Hopefully I'll get a chance to return the favor. So... Bella."

A look of slight relief crossed Bella's face.

I stood up and reached my hand out for Bella's. I had intended to simply shake her hand but at the last minute I thought better of it. The moment I touched her I felt the sparks jolt through me, It was a shock to my system I was not expecting and I knew I needed to feel her in any way that I could, even if it was a simple hand to mouth. I lifted her soft warm hand, raising it to my lips and I kissed it, her closeness left me reeling.

"It's a pleasure to see you again."

Th-thank you. It's nice to see you again as well." Bella turned away from me abruptly and clapped her hands together in what seemed to be an attempt to change the subject and said, "So-are we gonna sit down and get this party started or what?"

I had never been much of a shot drinker, usually sticking to beer for reasons from my youth, but Rose had insisted on everyone having at least one for this evening so she ordered a round for the entire table. I gave in gracefully with a smile on my face and turned to Bella. I was curious as to why exactly we were here and what we were celebrating, but how does one approach something they know nothing about? Duh Edward... exactly like that seeing as you know nothing.

"So Bella, what exactly are we celebrating? My brother didn't exactly give me the specifics... Did you get a promotion? Is it your birthday?"

With a quick burst of laughter she said, "Actually, this may sound really crass and heartless, but we're all here celebrating my divorce."

That was it that was the big secret? Hell, this may have slowed things down significantly for me but it was actually really great news. I had everything from convicted felon to cancer patient going through my head and I had no idea what to think before now. I threw my head back and let out a burst of laughter and surprisingly Bella started grinning and laughing as well, it was a refreshing change from the timid girl I had become used to seeing.

We were interrupted when our shots arrived, being carried buy a very large, very 'Bella friendly' bar tender named Jake. He was at least 6'5, and an easy 240 lbs of pure muscle. He towered over her and I wondered why he was tending bar and not a bouncer instead. With very little coaxing from Bella and Rose, he made himself comfortable pulling up an empty chair and sitting on the other side of Bella, resting his arm across the back of her chair.

Other than the fact that Jake seemed a bit more then a little smitten with Bella, I had to admit that outwardly he was a pretty decent guy. I didn't have a lot of background, but from what I could grasp from the conversation Bella had more than her fair share of trouble from her soon to be ex-husband, and Jake had warded off many of the phone calls and kept him out of the bar on several occasions. No wonder Bella was gushing at him, and he was eating it right up. Who could blame him? She probably looked at him with some sort of hero worship or something. Well for my selfish sake, I hope it faded quickly.

"So, Jake have you always tended bar? I mean you're a pretty big guy; have you ever thought about professional sports or anything?" I asked, trying to get a better feel for the guy.

"Actually, what I really love to do is work on cars. Whether it's just fixing them because they need repaired, or fixing them up and restoring them, I love it. Back on the reservation where I'm from, my family owns a shop. If I ever decide Seattle doesn't work out I'll probably just settle down back there and take over the family business."

"What made you come here instead of staying there to do that then?" It seemed a little off to me that someone that was as passionate about something like that would give it up to try out bar tending.

"Yeah, uh that's a little embarrassing, I actually followed a girl out here. Unfortunately it didn't work out. But I figured what the hell, I'd go ahead and give Seattle a try before picking up and running home with my tail between my legs. Besides, I've actually met a lot of nice people and found a great many reasons to stick around."

I noticed him glancing at Bella as he said this, and for an instant there was a flash in his eyes as he looked back up at me; it was cold, possessive, like a warning, telling me to stay away. And just as quickly as it was there, it was gone, replaced with a friendly smile. I tried to engage Jake and Bella in more conversation for the next few minutes but it was obvious that Jake was distracted; he continued to glance at the bar and then back to Bella every few seconds.

"Jake, it's okay, go back to the bar," Bella said.

"Am I that obvious?"

"Actually, yes you are. But it's okay."

They finished with their good-byes and he leaned down and hugged her, his lips grazing her hair. It would have been easy for anyone to miss. He glanced up at me as he he was releasing her, a thin smile spread across his lips. I knew his game; I played it well. And I knew why he was still in Seattle.

He got up and left, moving back toward the bar. I needed to do something. If there was one thing a guy like me could pick up on, it was another guy like me. And I knew for a fact that Jake's intentions toward Bella were anything but honorable.

But what about your intentions asshole?

What about them? I don't know what they are yet, but I promised Emmett I wouldn't hurt her, so I'm already one step ahead in my book, so Shut The Fuck Up!

I wondered momentarily if I'd get shot down if I asked Bella to dance. Even briefly imagining having Bella that close to me had my dick twitching and straining toward my zipper. I seriously needed to get myself in check. I glanced up at the bar and saw Jake looking over at our table staring at Bella, and my decision was instantly made for me.

I leaned over lightly breathing into Bella's ear before whispering, "Do you dance Bella?"

I reached my hand out in front of her, willing her to take it and not turn me down in front of everyone making me feel like the douche I knew I was being. She hesitated and started raising her hand up for me to take. Thank God...

"To be quite honest, I haven't danced in years, but if your feet are willing to take a risk, I'm willing to give it a try," Bella said, with a smirk on her face.

You don't think you can dance huh? We'll see about that...

"I bet all you really need is the right partner."

I led her by the hand out to the dance floor. Just as we reached the edge Bella stopped and emitted a low groan. I looked at Bella grinning.

"What?"

"It's nothing; let's just dance."

I pulled her out to the middle of the dance floor and placed my hand on her hip. The feel of her shirt and leather under my hand was pure torture, just imagining how close my hand was to her bare skin. I swung her around into my arms wrapping my hand around her small delicate one. She felt so perfect in my arms, moving to the music in almost a suggestive manner. I took a risk and pulled her closer to me, wedging our hands between our bodies and wrapping my other arm more firmly around her waist. I could feel her tiny hand tracing the muscles in my back and it was all I could do to keep my composure. There was an undeniable magnetism the was building between us, and sooner or later, one of us was going to have to fess up and admit it.

I bent down and rested my head on her cheek, I was so curious about this woman, what made her tick, what inspired her, why she hurt so much. I took a leap of faith and asked the one question I knew might ruin a perfectly wonderful dance.

"Do you play and sing often Bella?" I felt her startle at my question and her heartbeat increased.

Clearing her throat she very softly answered, "You weren't supposed to hear that. I thought everyone had gone home for the evening or I never would have sang."

Huh? This woman made no sense...

I pulled back and looked her in the eyes "Why not? You have a beautiful voice."

"No, I don't. You're just being kind; you don't have to say that."

I pulled her back up against me, missing the feel of her body against mine, knowing it would probably be a great while before I got to feel her again, and continued, "Bella I don't know where you got the idea in your head that you can't sing, but you're wrong. And trust me, I would know."

I was simply enjoying the feeling of Bella in my arms, her softness, her smell, her warmth when the song started coming to an end way too soon. I tilted my head down my lips nearing her ear and whispered ""Who are you Bella? Who is this enchanting woman with the voice of an angel that sings and plays for no one?"

She abruptly stopped and backed up out of my arms, her eyes locked in mine and backed her way off the dance floor watching me as she left. She reached the table and I moved forward right behind her. I looked up toward the bar and saw Jake staring at me, a seething look on his face. Yeah, take that bitch! I gave him the standard head nod and a grinning smirk.

I was starting to feel bad. I hoped I hadn't pushed Bella too far, I mean I really didn't say anything inappropriate had I? I was just complimenting her. Maybe she had more problems than I thought. Well if I wanted any sort of anything from her I had better fix this now.

"Bella, wait-"

"Don't Edward. I'm sure being that you're Emmett's brother you're going to be around a lot, so us getting along is a pretty big deal, and surprisingly from what little I've seen so far, you seem like a pretty decent guy. So let's just chalk this up to awkwardness and forget it, okay?"

Shit!

Well, I supposed it could be worse; she hadn't ousted me all together, so I at least had some ghost of a chance to at least get to know her, which, at this point, was better than nothing. I could bide my time. I was a patient man and I could be a great friend.

"Bella!! Bella!!"

Bella looked up in a panic. The waitress from earlier came running up to our table, frantically explaining to Bella that someone had broken into her office and had completely trashed it.

"Edward...would you please go find Rose and Alice?" Ask them to meet me in at my office?" Her face was stoic, completely expressionless.

"Sure, Bella."

This was too strange, What were the odds that Bella's office would be broken into on the same night that she would have her divorce celebration. Something was not meshing. I moved through the crowd to find Alice and Rose and wandered back over to the dance floor scanning the people as I went. I spotted Rose's tall form almost immediately. Cutting through the throng of people, I made my way over to Rose and Alice, hollering at them over the music.

"Rose!"

She must have sensed the look of panic on my face because when she looked up at me she instantly when on alert.

"Edward, what's wrong? Is it Bella? What did you do? I swear, if you hurt her or did anything I will wrap your balls around your throat and choke you with them Edward Cullen!"

"Rose, it is Bella, but I didn't do anything okay? Someone broke into her office; she asked me to come find you and Alice. Where's Emmett and Jasper? We should go find them too, and we need to call the police."

"Fuck! I-I'm not sure where the guys are. Alice, can you go find them real quick? You know this place better than Edward. Edward, you go back and stay with Bella, I'll go call the police."

In the hallway Bella was preparing to step into her office just as I walked up behind her. I stepped up, gently reached out and grabbed her elbow. She couldn't go in there; she could ruin fingerprints and evidence, essentially messing up any chance of convicting or pressing charges against whoever it was who did this. Especially if they happened to get away with taking anything. As easily as I could I pulled her back from the threshold.

"Bella" I said softly, "you can't go in there. We need to wait for the police first."

"Edward, let go! I need to check the safe."

She had tears streaming down her face and I felt so bad, but I knew what she needed now was strength. She needed to be able to dry it up and think rationally so she could at least feel like she had some sort of control over the situation.

"It won't matter if you check now or in a little while Bella. Please think about this; if you go rummaging around in there you may mess stuff up and you may screw up their chances of finding out who did this."

She paused for a moment, and took a deep steadying breath, "You're right, I'm sorry... Did you find the girls?"

"Yeah."

I wearily ran a hand through my hair letting her know that Rose was calling the police and Alice was geting the guys. She looked so beat down and so tired, I just wanted to gather her in my arms and soothe her, take all her hurt away. And then I wanted to find the bastard who did this. It had to be her asshole of an ex-husband. I mean, it made sense really, with as much trouble as he had been giving her and then with the divorce 'thing' today, it probably pushed him over the edge and he was exacting his revenge. I just hoped that there was something that he left in that office that would point toward him. And if I happened to find him before the police, well...so be it.

I reached over and lifted Bella's chin up; she had tears in the corners of her eyes again, "Hey, it's gonna be okay. We'll catch this guy."

I gently wiped the tears away that started their way down her cheeks. Her hair was starting to come out of her ponytail in tendrils around her face, and her cheeks were a rosy color from crying. Even in the face of crisis she still managed to look completely beautiful.

"You must think I'm a real mental case huh? You get invited to go out, only to find out it's a party for some broad's divorce, then my office gets broken into and I go into hysterics. What's next? I get trapped in a dark alley by a stalker?"

"Don't say that! That's not even funny. For your information I've had a great time tonight."

More than a great time...

"I don't think you're a broad, and your hysterics were mild compared to my ex-girlfriend's tantrums. As for your divorce party, the only comment I have is that it's his loss and I hope he knows what he gave up. Now come on."

I needed to get her out of the hallway and away from the office, at least until the police arrived and did their own thing. We would be here for hours yet and Bella needed to relax. I led her back over to our table and flagged our waitress down and ordered a water for both of us and some chips and salsa. She was shaky and needed nourishment. She needed something. She needed...me.

****************

Once the officers arrived, we were all swept into separate areas and interviewed by ourselves. I gave my statement, recounting the evening as best I could, starting with my arrival and ending with leading Bella back over to the table. They asked if I had been with Bella all evening, if I was ever at any point alone, who I arrived with, what kind of relationship we had and a myriad of other questions that were pointless to me, but I knew they needed to ask them. I didn't see much of Bella after that and eventually Rose came back over to let us know they were taking Bella home. As much as I wanted to see her, hold her and tell her it would all be alright, I knew it was not the right time, nor was it my place to be the one to do that.

"Rose," I said as she was walking off.

"Yeah, Edward?"

"Could you please give Bella my best and tell her I said good-bye?"

"Sure Edward, and thanks for all your help tonight, with Bella and everything. You may not understand it all, but Bella means a lot to all of us and you really pulled through tonight."

"You're welcome Rose, I'm just glad I was here to help."

She turned around, and made her way back over to Bella and Alice to leave.

Tonight had struck home for me. Before it was more like curiosity, a desire, something I was feeling a need for... but now? Now it was much more than need. This was happening for a reason; I had run into Bella by chance, not once, but three times. That had to mean something. She was like a siren call, reaching out to me with her voice, her face and body, willing for me to come to her, to make her whole again, complete. Something I had never been.

I had never been much on postulating fate, but I was quickly becoming a believer.

I watched the small form before me, Rose's arm firmly wrapped around her, leading her out the door and I wondered about the next time I would see her. I started mentally making plans in my head. Remembering Emmett's words - Tread lightly - I smiled. Oh, I would.

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