Disclaimer: I take no credit in the characters within this story; those are the sole work of Mrs. Stephenie Meyer. I do, however, take credit for the specific, new traits I gave them and am quite proud of them.

Note: Posting as fast as i can so basically just... LOVE YOU GUYS! Keep enjoying and i'll keep them coming! Now, time for a nice club...

"Hi, gorgeous

"Hi, gorgeous." I think his voice was meant to be sexy in some sort of heavy way, but it didn't work. Well, it worked in making me blush deeper as I glanced at Alice who was just smiling as she pulled me closer. When we were close enough, the man leaned down to me so he was only an inch or so from my face. "Care to come in?"

I smiled a little, completely fake, as I looked up at him. Then I had to look away again. Oh god, how did they expect me to do this? Then I felt it, the hand behind me running down the back of my arm gently, reminding me of just a few minutes ago. If Edward thought I was gorgeous, obviously I must have a little something to look at. I looked back into this large man's eyes and smiled a little wider. "Of course."

"Well, I'm afraid there is a price," he whispered to me, a sick smile streaking his face.

"Oh, and what would that be?" My voice didn't give away the sickness that was rising in my throat. Oh god, this man was positively sickening. I focused on the hand that was still lying lightly on my back. Edward believed I could do this. That's all I needed - Edward to believe in me.

"How about a kiss, sweetheart?" I could smell the cigarettes on his breath, making me want to gag.

I managed to suppress the urge to vomit and just leaned forward so that my lips were at his ear, figuring it was the only way to get away from his rank smell. "Is that so required, honey?" I whispered, blowing lightly across his skin like I did to Edward. "I mean, why would any guy like you want such a simple thing? Might make the other girls think they could get away with a simple peck on the cheek. No need to lower your standards on my behalf. How about this?" Here I giggled lightly, dropping my head for a moment and letting my breath sweep over his neck before I placed a single kiss on his gland. "Let us in, and I'll go in there and find a girl more beautiful and send her your way, telling her what a great guy you are. You get more than you would with me."

His breath was deep, washing across my bare shoulder and making me grimace. "Okay, honey. You send a girl my way. But if I don't find one in twenty minutes, when I get off my shift, I get to come find you and take more than a little kiss."

I closed my eyes, shivering. "Deal," I said before placing another little kiss on his neck and leaning away. "Twenty minutes."

He smiled sickeningly and opened the door for us to walk through, Alice lacing her arm through mine. We were hit with a wall of sound that seemed to make me vibrate to my very core. The beat made me relax a little. How hard could it be to find a drunk girl here that was desperate enough to go and dig her claws into the bouncer? Alice leaned over. "Great job! What did you tell him? What's this about twenty minutes?"

"Nothing," I said, shaking my head as we walked into the crowded room filled with tons of bodies gyrating together to the provocative beat. I turned to look at her. "Listen, you go dance. I have to go find a someone."

That made her look completely confused. "Who?"

"I don't know yet. Just trust me. I'll find you guys eventually. Go have fun."

"I don't think so. You aren't leaving my sight in here Bella." Edward whispered in my ear from behind, his sensually velvet like voice washing over me.

I turned my head, my eyes closed as I tried to remember exactly how to breathe. "Don't worry, Edward. It will take me ten minutes tops. If you're so worried, meet me right here in fifteen? Okay? I have to do this alone." That wasn't a lie either, if I had Edward with me girls would be flocking, but who would want to go after that sleazy bouncer after they had laid eyes on this beauty? "Just trust me."

"Okay. Here. In fifteen minutes. If you aren't here, I am not going to move from your side again. Bella, you don't know what the guys can be like here. Just… be careful." He was breathing directly into my ear, making me not want to leave at all. But I had to.

"Okay." I gave Alice's arm one last squeeze before heading off, looking around. I saw there was a bar on the opposite side of the room, lit in a neon glow. I headed toward it, avoiding the giant mass of people that were dancing in the center of the massive hall. I hurried, glad I was in flats and wouldn't have to deal with almost tripping every few seconds. I made it, but it took almost five minutes, leaving me with only ten to get back, fifteen to get the chosen girl outside.

I scanned the bar and tables around. There seemed to be a few possibilities of single women. I decided to start with the one leaning against the bar, looking rather annoyed. She had just gulped down a shot of something green and her eyes flared. When I approached her, I decided it was best to do it carefully. "Might I ask what you are drinking? I'm not entirely sure what's good."

"Never been drinking before honey?" she slurred, looking at me. I scanned her face closely. She could easily be considered beautiful with her high cheekbones and long body.

"No. And I need one now. See, there's this guy that I know - the bouncer, actually. He's such a sweetheart and is completely broken-hearted right now." I tried to sound as mopey as possible. "His girlfriend broke his heart, and he just can't seem to get over it. He's such a great guy, but no one else seems to be taking an interest. But I'm sorry, I'm sure you don't want to hear about this."

She gave me a shaky look, like she was about to fall over. "Well, that's not true. But lets get you something to drink, huh?"

I sighed and looked at her. "Maybe that's not such a good idea after all. I don't want to take a chance of getting drunk and stop looking out of someone that might be his type. I have been scanning for what feels like hours and I still can't find someone. It would probably be better to stay sober for now, at least."

She nodded. "I understand completely."

She didn't get it. "Well, it was nice to meet you. Sorry for just kind of coming over and dropping that on you like that." I began to walk away, searching the others at the bar. I would have to be careful and not use the same act twice. When I saw another girl leaning against the wall, her tall thin frame clad in leather. I started over. "Hello."

She looked over at me and smiled. "Hi."

"If you don't mind me asking, are you alone here?"

"Yeah," she looked kind of embarrassed about this and lifted a glass in her hand to her lips. "I wasn't supposed to be, but I am."

I nodded. "Do you mind me standing with you so I don't feel so completely alone? I mean, I've got ten or so minutes before my friend is supposed to be here."

She smiled. "Not at all. Who's your friend."

Yes! Bait was taken. "He's this really great guy I know. A complete sweetheart. He just went through a rather harsh breakup. He's the bouncer here, actually. He wanted some company tonight, and I decided that taking him in here and dancing would be nice. Don't get me wrong, it's not like that, but he just needs someone right now. I've been trying to keep my eyes open for someone that is his type but it seems like such a hopeless search. Like no one is good enough." Damn even I have to admit that was pretty good. "You know?"

Her face was concerned as she nodded. "It's never good going through a bad breakup. I'm just here so my friends will stop bitching at me to get out. I was just beginning to wonder if it would better to just leave rather than stand here alone when you came over."

I looked at her, tilting my head. "You're single?"

"Yeah." Her nod was glum. "And believe me, I'm feeling it. I haven't had sex in, like, three months. I'm going out of my mind!" Her eyes flicked to me.

I smiled. "Would you like to meet him? You may be able to help one another."

A smile appeared on her lips, making her face light up. "Really?"

"Oh, yes." I said, reaching out my hand. She set down her glass and took it. I pulled her quickly away from the bar and toward the entrance. I had about five minutes before his shift was over. Edward was probably already waiting for me by the door. I hurried on, trying not to think about him as we came into view of the door. I had been right, he was leaning against a wall, scanning the crowd. He saw me, my hand in the grip of the girl. I shook my head swiftly at him before going right past him. I opened the door slowly, poking my head out. The guy turned his head, looking at me.

"Hello."

"I've got someone for you to meet," I said, pushing the door open a little further and pulling the nervous-looking girl with me. When she saw him, her eyes got wide and a beautiful smile appeared on her face as she looked him over. Okay, I guess our taste is from matching.

She took a step forward and stuck out her hand. "I'm Ginger."

He took it, smiling at me before shaking it gently. "Bear."

I laughed to myself as I turned around and went back inside. "It was nice to meet you, Ginger. My name is Bella, by the way. I'll see you around."

Edward was waiting not even a foot from the door, still leaning against a wall, when I stepped back inside. "Do I want to know what that was about?"

"Sometimes it's better not to ask." I said, blushing a little as I looked out to the dance floor. I couldn't see Alice. "Where did your sister go?"

"Some guy swept her away."

I raised my eyebrows. "So it's alright for her to go off and dance with 'some guy' but I can't go search for something without being told to meet you back here in fifteen minutes?"

He shrugged. "When I spoke up to Alice, she jammed her heel into my foot. I wasn't really in the mood to chase her down, oddly enough."

My face fell a bit as I walked over to where he was leaning against the wall. I had been wondering about why he hadn't been moving toward me. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. It hurt like hell, but I can't really feel it anymore." With that he stood up straight and took a step closer to me. "Now, let's go out there, and try to find Alice so we can keep an eye on her."

"That means we'll have to dance, doesn't it?" I asked, looking at him as sadly as I could. I didn't like the idea of tripping my way across the floor like I was so good at. "Edward, you've seen me dance! I can't, plain and simple. It is completely impossible for me to move my feet to any sort of rhythm without tripping myself or someone else. Please don't force me to embarrass myself like that. Please?"

He laughed. "Bella, you're dancing. We didn't pull you here so you could stand back and watch. And you don't have to worry. You never hurt yourself when you danced with me before, if you remember correctly. I never let you fall. Just dance for a little while, and Alice will have no reason to complain later. And you know she'll see you out here soon enough anyways. Why not just get it over with?"

I sighed, shaking my head as I tried to come up with an argument. He took the moment to grab my arm and tug me behind out toward the crowd. You know, its amazing how well ballet flats go with almost any outfit. But what's even more amazing is the way that, no matter how hard you dig you feet down, they slide incredibly easily over the floor. When we hit the wall of bodies, I stopped trying to stop and focused only on not running into anyone as they danced around me. I watched the way they all danced together, the way that some simply ground up against one another while others twirled around each other, like they were in a similar, sexy orbit. It was incredibly devastating to watch so many people dancing with such grace and appeal while I would just be stumbling around. He kept pulling me deeper and deeper in to the crowd, making me feel more and more hopeless as I saw more and more people. Finally, he stopped and turned to me as the dj started a new song with a strong bass beat that seemed to pass through me in waves.

He leaned down to my ear. "Okay, she's right there. Now just have fun, Bells! Try to enjoy yourself. Don't think about how you look when you dance, just how you feel. If you really feel awkward, try something else, no matter how odd it seems to you. Try any move, and eventually you'll find your niche."

I had to laugh at that. "Edward, only you would use the word niche while we were standing in the middle of hundreds of dancing people."

He smiled as he pulled away and gave a little bow, as if he was extremely proud of himself, then he offered me his hand. I was hesitant, but took it, listening to the music to try to find the rhythm I wanted to follow. He didn't give me a chance to decide, just spun me quickly instead so I ended up pulled right into his arms, hitting his chest hard. I could feel him laughing under me, his chest vibrating. I looked up at him to see that he had indeed found his little trick funny. Oh, there was no way he would get away with that.

I smiled sweetly, as if I saw the humor in it before taking a step back and beginning to dance like I had seen a girl doing on our way in. My hips just swayed back in forth at first as I tried to pull up the courage to let myself do this, as I hoped not to trip. As if seeing my hesitance, Edward placed a hand lightly on my waist, letting me know he would catch me. I didn't look at him as I started to pull up the moves, swaying my body in time with the music, feeling the beat blast through me. I took a deep breath and let the music take over, relaxing as my shoulders worked against my body, my arms raising a little as I moved slowly, actually liking the feel.

When I opened my eyes Edward was staring down at me while he danced as well, working his own body with the music. He had a little smile on his face as he leaned down. "See, not so hard. You look great, and you're relaxed. That's all dancing is."

I nodded, beginning to think of ways to exact my revenge for his move earlier. Not much came to mind. I could do what I had done earlier again, but that didn't seem like the right move at the moment. I had to make him uncomfortable. I had to… I felt the moment the idea hit. I knew EXACTLY what to do. But I needed Alice. I turned my head, searching for her and finally spotting her, rubbing up against a guy who looked like he was about to explode as he looked down at her. I looked back at Edward who was still staring at me and held up a finger. "I'll be right back. I'm stealing Alice."

He nodded, letting my hip go as I hurried a few feet away and grabbed her wrist. She turned to me, smiling. "Bella!"

I leaned in to her ear, making her stop dancing while she listened. "Want to help me torture you brother and make him uncomfortable to an extreme?"

She smiled like no other at that, "Has there ever been anything I've wanted more? Please tell me this involves you making him blush again. What's the plan?"

I laughed a little in her ear. "Just come and dance with me for now. You'll see. Go with it."

"Okay." She took a tight hold of my hand and followed me with a little nod to the guy that had been dancing with her. I led us back to Edward who was smiling at a girl as he shook his head before nodding at the two of us. The girl turned around, he eyes locking with mine. I smiled at her, adding a bit of smug that only a girl would recognize. Alice laughed a little behind me as she sighed and tossed her long hair over shoulder before walking away.

When we standing right in front of him, I took Alice's other hand and we started to dance together, laughing before we released each other and turned to Edward, allowing him into the group. With Alice there, dancing happily the same way I was, I felt a good boost of confidence. I let my body work itself, not really caring what I was doing, just having a good time. Edward grabbed my hand at one point and spun me around once, making us all laugh. He did the same to Alice a minute later, making me clap as I kept dancing, smiling. A few songs had passed, and Alice gave me a look, asking when I was going to make my move. I just smiled back and winked. She shook her head and kept dancing.

Edward took my hand again gave me a spin, then another. That's when it happened. My foot slipped and I almost went down when his arms went around me, lifting me up and keeping me off the floor. I took a deep breath, looking into his eyes and smiling. "And I was doing so well."

He stood up straight, not seeming to notice when I laid my hands on his shoulders. He laughed. "It was only a matter of time. I'm just sorry that I'm the one who caused it."

I started dancing again, keeping my hands on his shoulder. "Never be sorry, Edward."

He cocked his head, but started to dance with me, one hand staying on my lower back while the other held my hip and swayed with me. A new song started with a deep, haunting melody and I recognized it as an Evanescence remix, meaning it was faster. I closed my eyes and felt the beat, curling my hands up around his neck, swaying my hips and letting my curls bounce. He never stopped dancing as I did this, but when I opened my eyes finally he had his own nearly closed as he looked down at me. I saw Alice out of the corner of my eye, dancing with a different guy, a smile on her lips when she looked over.

The song changed, but I never moved or changed and neither did he. We just kept dancing as the world moved around us, our bodies all but moving completely as one. I stopped listening to the music completely after a few minutes, not really caring anymore, and then I remembered what I had been doing this for. It no longer seemed important to get revenge. I was happy to stay in our own little world, dancing to a different music that no one else seemed to hear. Edward decided he had different ideas though. Only moments after I had thought about the absolute perfection of the times, he seemed to wake up, gave me the fastest spin I had ever encountered, or maybe it just felt that way… either way, it surprised me.

I almost tripped on my own feet, 'almost' being the key word. As he stopped me, his hand returning to my hip. My head was spinning as I tried to focus on him. He had my favorite grin in firm place as he looked down at me, that sweet look. I sighed and punched his arm gently. "That was a wakeup I hadn't been ready for. Mind warning me next time?"

"Where were you?" his voice was little more than whisper, but I heard it.

"I'm not sure. But I certainly didn't mind. It was nice there, and I certainly wasn't stumbling around a dance floor," I mumbled just as the music started again. Of course that was more like 2/3 lie and the only true part was that it had been really nice there. I felt a twinge of guilt for not telling him, but that wasn't an option at the moment. "But you looked about as far away I did. What made you wake up?"

"Alice jabbed her elbow into my side," he muttered, glancing over at his sister who was again dancing with a guy. I had to laugh at that. His eyes came back to mine. "How about we go get something to drink. I need to get my energy back. Sound good?"

I nodded, and we started off the dance floor, Edward pointing me in the direction that we had to go. I led the way, latching onto his hand and weaving my way through the people, searching for the end to the mass of bodies that were still moving in millions of different ways to the same beat. Dancing was an amazing thing when you could actually do it. It kind of makes your ego deflate when you can't, and you're in a club where everyone else just happens to be able to.

I think I was walking in a straight line, but at the same time it was hard to tell as I pushed my way through people. After a few minutes I felt an arm wrap around my waist and Edward pulled me back to his chest, which was shaking with his laughter. "Bella, maybe you should let me lead the way."

I looked up at him and was about to agree when the music changed again and a ripple went across the crowd. I smiled and shook my head before the first line of the song rang, I managed to keep from singing along and just started to dance like I had at first, which seemed to amuse Edward even more. He still had his arms around me as I swayed, my body all but pressed to his. It only took a moment for him to release me and spin me so I was facing him. He danced with me, his body looking so good it was a sin. If I didn't touch him soon I was going to explode. So, I did. I just reached out and used him like a center point, pushing my hands against his chest as I danced, closing my eyes and just giving in to the music again.

When the songs stopped, my breath was coming fast, having pushed myself harder and harder. The crazy part was I had been so comfortable doing it, so normal with my hands above my head while I had moved my entire body in a way that couldn't have looked completely terrible. At least, not by the looks the girls were giving me when I had ran my hands over Edward. Oh yes, they did not like that.

I looked up Edward with that to see that he was smiling at me while he reached out his hand. I took it, preparing myself to possibly be tricked again, but finding that he just pulled me toward the right, his eyes on a focus point in that direction. It only took a minute to break free of the crowd and see the bar. I smiled happily and stepped up by his side, not releasing his hand and noticing that he didn't loosen his grip on mine either. "What would you like, Bella?"

"I don't know," I said, looking up at him. "Something good?"

He laughed and nodded, looking behind the bar at the shelves of alcohol. When the bartender walked over, leaning over the bar toward Edward so that her already super low-cut shirt seemed to have disappeared, and he had a nice view. He didn't even seem to notice. "Can you make an Alien Secretion?"

"Yeah," she said, smiling. "Whatever you want."

"Okay, she'll have an Alien Secretion, and I just want a Fat Tire." He was still scanning the wall, as if looking for something.

I stepped a little closer to him. "What's an Alien Secretion? It doesn't sound very… appealing."

He laughed. "Don't worry, Bells. It's good. Alice drinks them like water. I think you'll like it."

"As long as you think so," I said, looking back out at the crowd, which seemed to have grown since we had walked in.

"Hey, if you don't want it, I'll go give it to someone else. It's okay," he said, shaking my hand a little. Oh, he thought I was being sarcastic. I looked at him and shook my head, not saying anything about the fact he had misread me. He smiled in return and motioned to a seat at the bar.

I was just about to take it when a guy walked over. I was no longer holding onto Edwards hand, and it must have seemed like I was alone or something because he stopped right in front of me. "Hey, care to dance?"

I glanced at Edward who was just about to hand me my drink. The guy followed my eyes and he smiled at Edward as I took the highball glass from his hand. It was filled with a weird looking green liquid. I understood the name then. Edwards eyes held the guy's before they flicked to me. I lifted my glass to him and took a sip. It was sweet and had a melon-y taste to it. I liked it.

"Wow, this is really good," I said, taking another sip before looking back at the guy still standing in front of me. I glanced at Edward again, and he shrugged, and smiled encouragingly though his eyes didn't hold the same look. I sighed and looked at him. "Just let me finish my drink."

He beamed and took a seat next to me, trying to look at ease as he leaned back against the bar, but instead looking rather uncomfortable. I shook my head, and looked back at Edward. He leaned toward me after taking a sip of his beer. "You know, your dancing has greatly improved since we danced last. What happened?"

I smiled a little. "Alice has pulled me to so many clubs its insane. I always feel retarded though and usually only dance for a few minutes before going to find a comfortable place to sit while Alice goes wild and has fun. I guess all it takes is the right partner." I raised my glass to him again. "Cheers."

He smiled and lifted his beer as well before we both took a sip. I had already finished about half my glass. I leaned toward Edward, beckoning his ear to me. When I had my cheek right up against his I said, in my lowest voice possible, "After one song, please come and save me."

He chuckled a little before purring, "Whatever you want, Bella."

I shivered as I pulled back and lifted my glass, taking a big sip which left me with only about one left before I would have to go out onto the dance floor and dance with this guy. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't bad looking or anything, but he wasn't Edward. I sighed, feeling the buzz beginning to kick in - like a little numbness on the edge of my thoughts - just before I took my last sip. The guy was in front of me again as if he had been watching and waiting, which it was quite possible that he had. I had been kind of caught up watching Edward nurse his beer. I smiled at him and told him to the lead the way. He smiled and began walking to the mass of people. I leaned to Edward and put my lips to his ear. "Please, Edward. One song." Then I blew ever so sweetly on his neck, acting innocent as he shivered again. "What's wrong?"

He growled in my ear, but I could tell that it was good-natured and stood, following the guy as he led me to the floor. When I was by his side, he took my hand, making me shiver a bit, and he pulled me just a few paces into the mob before turning to me just as a new song started. The guy was five or so inches taller than me with deep black hair, obviously died, and brown eyes. This was not who I wanted to dance with.

"I'm Mark, by the way," he said, smiling down at me.

"Bella," I said, beginning to sway my hips a bit. Maybe if I closed my eyes and forgot that I wasn't dancing with Edward it would go faster. He dashed those hopes pretty quickly as he stepped close, within two inches of me, and wrapped his arms around my hips. I wanted to kick him, I really did, but at the same time I had agreed to a dance. I kept my eyes closed and just danced a little to the beat, hardly able to block out the feeling of him so close.

When the song ended, I opened my eyes, waiting for Edward to appear. He didn't. I sighed. Maybe I shouldn't have teased him while I was asking him for a favor. But it didn't seem like Edward to get back by leaving me with this guy. He had said earlier that it was hard not to protect me from guys.

"You know, you are absolutely gorgeous," Mark whispered in my ear, making me aware that he was closer now, completely pressed against me. I sighed and my eyes spun around the crowd, searching for the tousled bronze hair. He heard my sigh. "Oh, don't tell me that you don't know that. You are a temptress. I can feel it."

Oh, I could feel something, too, and it wasn't what I wanted to. I tried to push him away a little bit, so I didn't feel that particular thing, only to find that I really couldn't. Not only was the bit of alcohol in my system taking away from my strength, but he was a rather solid guy. I tried to push again, but he just tightened his grip and pulled me closer to him. "Oh, take it as a compliment, babe."

"Please let me go," I said, pushing again.

He made me keep swaying, and I was beginning to panic. What was with me attracting assholes today? "Baby, I saw the way you were talking to him. I know what you want, and if he won't give it to you, I will."

My throat tightened, and my anger began to build, towering over the buzz and basically putting it out. I pushed again, as hard as I could, but I have never been a particularly strong person. "I'm not your baby, and if you honestly think that's what I'm after, you are greatly mistaken. The only thing that I want is for you to let me go. Now."

He chuckled in my ear again and ground his hips against mine. "Playing hard to get, are we?"

I growled at him and pushed with all of my strength against his chest. "I'm not playing at anything. I want you to let me go. I'm not looking for anything you want to give."

"Every girl is looking for what I want to give, babe," he whispered, his hand leaving my waist and grabbing my ass while he continued to grind against me. "Feel that? That's exactly what I want to give you."

I only pushed against him harder. I looked around to see that no one was paying us the slightest attention; they just thought we were dancing. Oh god, Edward. Where are you?

"Bella?" His voice ran across my skin like a hand, like the touch I so wanted. I knew he was behind me, which also told me that he had a clear view of what was going on around my rear, an embarrassing point to say the least. But no amount of embarrassment could trump my relief. I sighed and pushed against Mark's chest again, wanting to get away even more now, so I could hide behind Edward. He suddenly seemed ten times the protector he had been when we were younger, an odd idea, all considered. Shouldn't I have relied on him more then, when I was still practically a child, when compared to me now, being a woman? I thought back as I struggled and could not remember one time that I had had such a strong urge to bury my head between his shoulder blades, to hide.

"Let me go!" I said again, pushing. Mark looked over my shoulder, more like at Edward, before releasing me. I stumbled back, hitting something hard as I tried to keep my balance. An arm encircled my waist and pulled me back till I was against his chest. I laid my head against him, breathing in his familiar scent and trying to calm my heart and lungs, neither of which wanted to cooperate.

"Hey, man. You can't blame me for wanting to give her the attention you obviously weren't. No guy that really wants her would have let her dance with someone else."

Edward's arms tightened on me. "There is nothing you can give this girl that she would want that I couldn't do for her ten times better."

He defended against the wrong part. "Girl? Look at her; that is not a girl."

I could hear his heart just below my ear, a quick pound that I had never heard before. Edward was really mad. I tightened my grip on him, wanting to calm him down, but he didn't seem to notice. I looked up. "It's not worth it."

He didn't look back down at me, just held Mike's eyes. And, for the second time today, I felt it. The power he was exuding was intense, sending a chill through me - though, I must admit, not exactly a bad one. He looked like he war ready to fight, and I couldn't let him though I had no doubt he would win. Edward had a heart and would be regretting it tomorrow, no matter how much the guy deserved it. I wouldn't let him torture himself. So I reached up slowly, cautiously, and touched his cheek, rubbing my thumb over his high cheekbone. He looked down, the anger melting away as he met my eyes. "Are you okay?"

I smiled, glad to have him back. "I'm fine, Edward."

He closed his eyes for a minute, taking a deep breath, and let it out slowly, relaxing. When he opened his eyes he looked at me before taking my hand and leading me away from the repulsive Mark.