Bella rushed into her and Alice's apartment and though she was usually a neat person she kicked off her shoes, dropped her bag by the door and barely took the time to hang her coat before she was rushing towards her bedroom, pulling off her suit jacket as she went.

Alice came out of her room dressed in a red evening gown, trying to tie the clasp to a diamond bracelet she was wearing. "Bella! Where have you been? You're going to be late!"

"I know! I know!" Bella called out as she rushed into her room and started to strip to take a quick shower. The event at the Kennedy Center was tonight and today of all days she'd had to answer a million emails and take a million phone calls since someone had let it slip that Senator Cullen was meeting briefly with the president that evening.

Good news for Senator Cullen. More work for Bella.

She knew that she was going to be busy tonight, fielding questions on the Senator's behalf and trying to keep the media at bay. Stripping as she walked across her room she left a trail of clothes in her wake and stepped into the shower. She was still in there washing her hair when Alice opened the door enough to call in, "I'm taking a car to meet mom and dad so I can go over to the Kennedy Center with them! I think Jasper is riding over with us as well, but I'll send the car back for you."

"Thanks, Alice! Tell them I'll be there as soon as I can," Bella called out as she started to rinse off.

She managed to finish getting ready in record time, but then she'd never been the type of woman to take hours on end to get ready. She used the blow-dryer and just left her hair to fall in loose waves around her shoulders. She slipped into one of her few evening dresses, realizing in the back of her mind that Alice was right and she really was going to have to expand her wardrobe now that she had more functions like this to attend.

She'd actually chosen the black strapless dress because of its simplicity. It had no embellishments of any sort and she felt that she could change it up a bit by accessorizing it with different jewelry and wraps. That had worked in California since she didn't attend many social functions that required formal evening wear. She was pretty sure it wasn't going to cut it in D.C. But, since it was her first function it would have to do.

After putting on some simple silver jewelry, her heels, and a bit of her favorite perfume—Prada's Iris—she grabbed a black wrap threaded with silver, got into her coat, and ran out the door. She was somewhat glad that Alice had gone on ahead. Alice probably would have given her a hard time about the coat, but she'd much rather be somewhat unfashionable than catch hypothermia. Alice claimed that beauty was pain, but beauty didn't have to lead to death either.

Once she was settled in the car she took her first deep breath, trying to enjoy the few minutes of silence and solitude before they reached the Kennedy Center. It was probably the only peace she was going to have for the rest of the evening. She knew that the moment she reached their destination she was going to be inundated by people trying to get information about Carlisle's plans, and though she knew what those plans were, right now her only option was to avoid giving a direct answer.

She'd almost dozed off when the driver announced that they were there and she slipped out of the car, remembering to take her wrap and clutch with her. As she stepped out onto the sidewalk in front of the Kennedy Center she sighed as she looked around, wondering for the hundredth time how she'd gotten here amongst the powerful and the glamorous. She made her way up the steps towards the entrance, glancing at the people that were moving around her.

Once she entered the Center, went through security and checked her coat she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and texted Jasper, wondering where Senator Cullen's contingent was. As she waited for an answer she started to wander around a bit, hoping that she wouldn't be recognized.

)( )( )( )(

Edward had been meaning to go to the small building on Sanders Street where his unnamed angel lived, but the rest of his week had been so busy that had hadn't even had a chance to make it home before midnight on most days.

He'd been busy fielding calls and making inquiries about Senator Volturi's intentions now that Senator Cullen's intentions to run for President seemed to be solidifying. Sure, right now it was only speculation that Cullen was preparing to make an announcement in this regard, but it was enough to set everyone in the party on edge…including Senator Volturi.

When Aro had found out that Senator Cullen had managed to secure a short meet up with the President at the Kennedy Center function, he had been furious. They both knew that such a meeting meant that Cullen would probably be talking to the President about running for the nation's highest office…and that he would be seeking his endorsement. The fact that he had secured the brief meeting meant he already had one foot in the door. No, Aro was not happy in the least.

Now, where he had been hoping to enjoy an easy evening he was going to be working hard, trying to assure people that if Senator Cullen was indeed meeting with the President it didn't' necessarily mean an endorsement. Then he had the hard work ahead of him of making sure that the President actually avoided supporting Cullen. Best case scenario was he could keep the President from endorsing anyone until the party actually selected their candidate. It was all he could do for Senator Volturi. An actual endorsement was out of the question. Honestly, many people didn't like Aro.

Edward included.

As he strolled up the steps to the entrance of the Kennedy Center he heard his name called a few times and he would turn, wave or nod in greeting, but he didn't slow enough to give any of them time to approach him and start a conversation.

He showed his credentials to security and then checked his coat before he started to wander around a bit. He was sure that his staff was going to find him at any moment so for now he enjoyed the few precious moments he had to himself before he went into work mode.

He remembered his first time at the Kennedy Center. For some reason he still didn't comprehend his parents decided that he was old enough to attend a function when he was about seven years old. He'd spent most of the evening hiding behind potted plants and under tables covered in long table cloths, avoiding his father's staff's detection. He'd gotten his video games taken away for a week after that and it wasn't till much later that he was allowed to attend formal functions with his folks again.

He was looking around, wondering how long he could avoid detection this time without actually ducking behind a plant or under a table when he thought he saw his angel's face in the crowd.

Could it be? Was she really here?

It was strange how he felt his pulse racing at just the thought that he might actually run into her again. He made his way to the crowd in the direction he thought he had seen her in. As he moved he tried to avoid making direct eye contact with anyone, knowing that that was an opening for them to approach him.

Just as he made his way to the side of the room where he thought he had seen her, the lights dimmed and picked up again, indicating it was time for people to take their seats. He cursed to himself as the flow of the crowd shifted and he was forced to retreat.

He moved towards the area where he knew that Senator Volturi's set of seats were located and it wasn't long before he saw the few select members of his staff that had been invited to the event. Among them was Emmett who was standing next to a stunning blonde, listening attentively to what she had to say.

Glancing up, Emmett saw Edward approaching and grinned brightly, whispering something to Rosalie. Tucking Rosalie's arm through his, they approached Edward.

"Edward! Been wondering when you were going to show up," Emmett said.

Edward couldn't help but notice how happy Emmett seemed and he grinned back and nodded. "Sorry, shirking duty," he half teased.

Emmett laughed and started to make the introductions. "Edward, I'd like for you to meet my date, Rosalie Hale. Rosalie, this is my boss and friend, Edward Masen."

When first meeting Edward, many women fell over themselves, gushing about how wonderful it was to meet him and flirted outrageously…much to the irritation of their dates if they had one. Rosalie only smiled and held out her hand politely to Edward.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Masen."

"Pleasure is all mine, Ms. Hale. Emmett's told me a lot about you. And, please, call me Edward," he said as he shook her hand.

"Didn't I tell you she was gorgeous," said Emmett as he beamed down at Rosalie.

"Emmett!" Rosalie said with a chuckle, hitting him lightly on the chest with her clutch.

Edward just chuckled and actually felt a twinge of envy as he saw the two of them interact. Looking around he hoped to catch a glimpse of the nameless lady that had been occupying his thoughts.

He was beginning to wonder if he had actually seen her.

As his eyes moved around he caught a glimpse of Jasper Whitlock talking to the President's Chief of Staff and he sighed a bit.

He had to concentrate on his work.

Emmett caught his attention by touching his arm and indicated that it was time to take their seats.

Edward nodded and followed inside, not noticing as Bella came up to Jasper who in turn introduced her to the man he had been speaking to.

)( )( )( )(

Partway through the evening's performance Jasper and Bella followed Carlisle out of the theater. Jasper and Carlisle were led away by the President's Chief of Staff.

She stood outside in the lobby area, looking around. Although she'd been introduced to some of the President's staff that were milling about, she didn't feel comfortable just walking up to any of them and starting a conversation.

Edward came out of the theater and looked around, hoping he could keep track of how much time Whitlock and Cullen actually spent with the President. He was also hoping that he could talk to some of the President's staff and get an idea about what was going on, but just as he was about to approach the Communication Director for the Whitehouse, he saw her.

He stopped in his tracks and his breath caught in his throat as he saw how beautiful she looked. When he had walked her home several nights ago he thought she had looked like an angle, standing in front of him, dressed in a flowing, strapless back evening gown, he knew he hadn't done her justice. She was a goddess.

As he walked up behind her he noticed her shawl fall from the crook of one of her elbows, one end billowing to the floor behind her back. She turned slightly to look over her shoulder and at that moment he wished he had a camera to catch her perfect profile.

She was just about to reach back for the end of the shawl to put it back in place when he came up to her and gently lifted the end of the scarf and draped it over her arm for her.

"Hello," he said softly with a crooked smile.

Bella's eyes widened in surprise as she saw him and she spoke softly back, "Hello." A blush immediately tinted her cheeks making him smile even more.

"Fancy running into you here," he said as he watched her place the shawl more securely around her.

"Yes, well, it's a very pleasant surprise," she said in response.

"Is it?" he asked, smiling even more. 'A very pleasant surprise,' she'd said, that was a good sign. Perhaps she had been thinking of him as much as he'd been thinking about her.

She nodded and blushed, not sure of what to say, so to spare her the embarrassment of her admission he spoke up, "I've been hoping to run into you again."

"Have you?" she smiled.

He nodded. "Yes, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you." He didn't know what caused him to confess that, but there it was. Clearing his throat he continued, "I think I made a mistake the other night."

She tilted her head curiously, waiting for him to continue.

"I should have asked for your name…and number."

She smiled and held out her hand with a smile. "I'm Bella."

He felt relieved when she didn't say her last name. It meant that he didn't have to share his own. Taking her hand, he leaned over and brushed his lips lightly against her knuckles. "Pleasure to see you again, Bella. I'm Edward."

She blushed again as she felt his lips brush against her skin. "It's very nice to see you again, Edward." She was thrilled to have him close, and grateful that she was speaking coherently this time.

"How are you enjoying the show?" he asked.

"Oh, it's lovely. I never thought I would have the opportunity to see YoYo Ma and Itzahak Perlman perform together," Bella responded.

Edward smiled. "A fan of classical music then?"

Bella smiled. "Amongst other kinds of music."

"Oh?" Edward said, hoping she'd continue so he could hear more of her voice. Concentrating on the tenor of her voice helped him push down the urge to reach out and touch her.

She shrugged. "Concerts like this are wonderful. The beauty of the music reaches down to the very depths of the soul and warms it, but there's something just as great about going to an intimate set and seeing an indie singer crooning or going to a rock concert and feeling the energy radiating off the stage and the crowd."

Edward smiled at her words. This was a woman after his own heart.

"Seems like you like a wide variety of music, Bella."

Bella nodded and smiled. "Mom loved classical and more folksy stuff. Dad was more of a rock kinda guy."

Edward smiled and asked her a bit more about her favorite bands as he shared some of their own.

Neither of them noticed that people were watching. At that moment neither of them cared.

They had been speaking for only a short time when movement of the Secret Service indicated that the President was probably coming out from his meeting with Cullen.

He sighed and looked to Bella. "Listen, Bella. I have to go, but I was wondering, are you busy Friday night?"

Bella was caught off guard, not expecting the perfect specimen of a man in front of her to want to see her again, but she smiled shyly. "No. No, I'm not busy."

"Would you like to have dinner? Seven o'clock perhaps?" Edward asked, hoping he didn't sound as hopeful and desperate as he felt.

Bella just nodded. "I'd like that. Should I give you my number?"

"Exchanging numbers might not be a bad idea." He chuckled and took out his cell phone, entering her number and then calling hers so she could save it when convenient.

"Thank you. Should I pick you up at your place at seven then?" Edward asked.

"Sure. Do you need directions?" Bella asked.

He chuckled and shook his head, grinning, "No, I know where you live."

Bella blushed. "Oh, yeah, of course."

He smiled and noticed that the President had come out of a door at the opposite end of the room, Senator Cullen and Whitlock following not too far behind.

Bella hadn't seen them because her back was to the door.

When he saw Jasper excuse himself from the senator's side as he headed back into the theater and head his way, Edward stifled a sigh.

Back to business.

He was just about to excuse himself from Bella's side, figuring that Whitlock was looking for him, but as Jasper drew closer he called out, "Bella!"

Edward blinked in surprise and watched as Bella smiled at Jasper.

Jasper came up and nodded, "Hello, Masen. I see that you've finally met our Director of Communication."

Bella's eyes widened as she looked back at Edward. Now she knew why he had always looked so familiar. Over the years she had seen photographs of Edward Masen, Jr., but she had never paid close attention to them. She wasn't the type to follow political gossip. Now she wished she had.

She'd just accepted a date with one of the world's most eligible bachelors…and he worked for the competition.

A/N: So today you get an extra long chapter as a treat. Well, I wanted to treat you and I also didn't want to suffer the wrath of my readers if I didn't get Bella and Edward's next meeting out.

I will be trying to post daily, but sometimes that's more possible than other times. I hope you guys are enjoying the story.

Please continue to leave reviews and feedback!