A/N - I don't know about you guys, but I think it's time for Bella & Edward to get to know each other a little bit better in this short interlude... Please R&R.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight.

Chapter 5 – Interlude

Mr. March was running late. He had called to say an emergency had come up at the hospital and he would be at the studio as soon as possible. Apparently, he was modeling to fund his way through medical school. Bella was happy to wait. After two disastrous attempts at getting some, she sure hoped it would be third time lucky with the dishy Doc. Brains and beauty – that was her kind of man.

While they waited, Bella took the opportunity to try and smooth things over with Edward, after he'd walked in on her and Riley after the last photo shoot. He'd been really quiet with her since he arrived today, unlike his usual chatty and inquisitive self. She was still terrified he was going to tell his aunt.

She walked over to where he was showing Alice his new camera, enthusiastically pointing out all the cool features. Bella caught Alice's eye and gave her a meaningful look. "Edward, I just remembered I left something out in the car. Would you excuse me? I'll be right back!" Alice slipped out of the studio, leaving Bella and Edward alone.

"I just wanted to have a quick chat with you," started Bella, "about the other day." Her heart was pounding. She'd rehearsed this conversation many times in her head since the other night, but now she felt tongue-tied.

"Bella, honestly, don't worry about it." Edward fingered the strap on his new camera and tried to avoid her eyes.

"Well, that's the thing, Edward. I am worried about it. I'm worried that you got the wrong impression and that you might say something to your aunt that could jeopardize my career." Bella bit her lip. She hadn't meant for the words to come out so bluntly.

"What?!" scoffed Edward. "What do you think I am, some kind of snitch? Bella, what you do in your personal – or professional – life is your business. This internship means the world to me. I suppose your parents have been supportive of your career choice?" Bella nodded. She thought of Charlie buying her first camera for her eighth birthday, of Renee working extra shifts at the diner to pay for her photography classes. "Yeah, well not all of us are so lucky. I've had to fight to do something I love. Do you think I would so easily give up the opportunity of working alongside such a talented photographer? Do you think I would blow it by running to Auntie Esme and telling her you're boning all the male models?"

Bella gasped. "It was a massage!" she protested, starting desperately to believe her own lie.

"Whatever," muttered Edward, shaking his head.

It was the final straw. Before Bella knew what she was doing, she had lifted her right hand and – thwack! – given Edward a hard slap across the face.

"Bella Swan!" It was Alice, back from her fictional trip to the car, entering the studio at this crucial moment. "What the hell is going on here?" Bella hung her head down in shame. This wasn't the first time she'd been on the receiving end of Alice's Strict Mommy act. It was all she could do to prevent herself from saying, "He started it!"

Alice made them both sit down. Bella noticed with some satisfaction that Edward was rubbing his face. She hoped it really hurt. "Now, you two seem to have got off on the wrong foot. And like it or not, you're going to have to work together for the next while, so you may as well try to get along." Bella felt a little betrayed – Alice knew that Edward had been getting under her feet, but that little pixie just couldn't resist trying to do good and play mediator. Alice had a point though. Cullen seemed determined to stick this out, whether she liked it or not. Maybe if she tried being nicer to him she'd be able to get rid of him more easily.

It was time to suck it up.

"Edward," she said, looking straight at him, "I'm sorry… for being a such a bitch."

He looked back at her. "Apology accepted. I'm sorry for calling you a slut." Alice gasped. "And I'm sorry to Alice, for letting her believe I didn't deserve that slap." A crooked grin spread across his face and he winked conspiratorially at Bella. Despite herself, Bella giggled. She held out her hand to Edward. "Truce?"

"Truce." He took her hand and shook it firmly, smiling. Bella noticed an unusual hint of gold in Edward's eyes. It was so distracting she found herself holding on to his hand for a little too long.

The studio buzzer brought her to her senses again. Mr. March had arrived.