A/N: Bella does a lot of texting/talking while driving in this story. The texting while driving is not a practice I'm promoting. I just figure a vampire can do this more easily / safely in the same vein that original Twilight Edward didn't wear a seat belt while driving. Original Edward...sigh. Still love him.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

A Guiding Heart

The Big Bang Theory

Chapter 17

X

I had contacted everyone about meeting Edward later today at the SSA. Charlie and the Cullens were all invited.

My phone rang. It was Alice, eliciting an eye roll from me. "Just where do you think you're heading right now?" she demanded.

"I don't know," I replied glancing up at the Port Townsend sign on the road ahead of me that I was driving.

"You're going the wrong way," she insisted.

"Alice never mind, the more important thing is that I was kissing Edward and venom pooled in my mouth for the first time."

"Oh no. What do you think that means?"

"You're asking me? I was asking you, Alice! I'm the one who is new to all of this, remember?" I easily handled the curves in the road as I drove.

"Did you want to taste him or kill him?" she asked.

"Neither! Or both. I'm not sure, but I had all those urges under control the whole time."

"Maybe you should talk to Carlisle," she suggested.

"No way! I had to get Esme on my side just to get Carlisle to come meet up with Edward tonight. Oh Alice, wait until you see what he's putting in at the park. There's so much more to him, and I think it will turn things around with Carlisle when he finds out more of who Edward is. He has a huge heart."

"I hope it does, Daph. If nothing else, I'm glad you're so excited about it."

When I was done talking to Alice, I hung up and called Jasper. "Hey Jazz, what's the name of that specialty shop in Port Townsend that Edward took his car to?"

"Bella, what are you doing?" he deadpanned.

"I'm just...in the area and, you know, wanted to check it out," I said lightheartedly like it was no big deal.

"Turn around," he ordered.

"What?"

"Bella, I already checked into it. The place is called Leo's, but he just got his car detailed and cleaned there. Nothing more."

"But Jasper," I insisted.

"Nothing more, Nancy Drew."

"Fine." I backed off. "You're coming tonight, right, Jazz?"

"Damn straight I am! I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"See you then. Thanks, Jazz."

I turned the cherry bomb around in one smooth K move and pulled out my cigarettes, lighting one up. Why was I smoking again? Oh right, because of the damn venom pooling. Damn it! Why now?

After I cleared Port Townsend and was heading back toward Forks, I was just entering back into Port Angeles when I spotted Justin's address that I had jotted down on a sticky note, still on the dash of my car. Now it was staring back at me. Taunting me. Challenging me. I had tossed out all that old stuff and was moving forward so why was I . . .

Just a drive-by, I told myself, just to see what I could see. Not a stakeout or anything. I made a quick left and drove down a twisty road with lots of trees and brush. One more road off of this one and I should be close . . . DAMN IT! You have got to be kidding me! I could smell him! Edward Masen!? Seriously? This has to be a mistake. Edward was nearby! What the hell? I veered the cherry bomb off the side of the road and parked it beyond a giant gathering of brush. Covering up my red as much as I could, I took off on foot, tracking him by his heartbeat and smell, hoping he wasn't going to be able to know I was there in the area. That stupid GPS tracker could work both ways; I knew that by now!

I flew from tree to tree, scanning for the address before settling into a tall birch tree. And there was his blue Audi TT parked right in the driveway of the address I was going to! I shook my head. What was going on? What was he doing here? I was just about to get closer when the front door opened, and out came Edward carrying that same large manilla envelope I had returned to him that first day in the hospital. He was thanking the woman at the door for . . . I gasped! That's Alicia, Justin's sister! I stood still, closed my eyes and tried to get a sense for how many people were in the house. It felt like only two but someone older. I watched Edward return to his car and pull out his phone so I eavesdropped on his conversation, naturally. "Hi there, it's me. Nope. Not here. Maybe about 2 years ago and no one has heard since. Yeah, just my luck. It's not as important now anyway. I've got other things to try to live for. Okay then, right bye."

Everything is just so turned upside down! Why did it feel like my past and future just collided again without my permission...without one ounce of my prompting?

I watched as Edward threw his car in reverse and sped away. He was driving way too fast for his own good. I bound from the tree and ran into the dense forest across the road. Should I stop in at Alicia's house? No, she'd think that was awful strange to have two visitors in a row. Unless she knew him? Until I had more information about his visit, I guess I would come back another time. Would I even tell Alice about this? My head snapped in the direction of a scent I caught, and lightly I made my way deeper into the trees where I came across an injured deer that wasn't moving. It didn't fear me as I approached, but I knew it was dying. Venom pooled in my mouth as I consciously decided to drain only enough blood to put the animal out of its misery. The blood tasted tainted and I spit it out before leaving the animal lifeless and making my way back to the cherry bomb.

Ugh, the taste! What I wouldn't give for one of the Denali cocktails right now as a sweet chaser.

I drove home, careful not to run into Edward, making it back to the house in time to change and pack a bag. I wanted to look extra pretty tonight. How was I going to find out what he was doing there? If only I knew a vampire who could read minds! Was there such a vampire?

A text came in from him letting me know he reserved the rink and that he hoped he didn't freak me out earlier. Well he did, just not for the reason he thinks he did.

I called Charlie again to make sure he would be there.

"Hell yes, I'll be there, Bella. I looked this guy up. He is a bona fide ex-hockey player! This small-town guy isn't going to pass up the chance to meet him!"

"You looked him up? Dad! By that you mean you ran a background check on him?"

"You bet I did. This guy's dating my little girl! And do me a favor, if Edward drinks while in my town, don't let him get behind the wheel. One DUI on his record is enough."

I smiled as I hung up with Charlie wondering how easily he would be impressed with Edward and wondering what that would mean for the future. Fashionably bundled up, I arrived in time to greet Charlie and introduce him to Edward. Then came along Carlisle, Esme, Alice and Jasper.

Esme gave me a little thumbs up when Edward wasn't looking. Charlie grilled Edward over stats, which Edward seemed to know by heart. Carlisle remained reserved, never letting his guard down and instead keeping his more professional doctor facade in place.

"I thought Emmett was coming as well, and with an even eight we could play a game of hockey," Edward said.

"Oh, he'll be here soon," I said, looping my arm through his and giving him a smile, "but first why don't you show my family the plans."

"Are you sure?" he questioned me.

"Of course, I'm sure." I desperately wanted my family to know this good side to Edward. Admittedly, I wanted it to sway them in how they viewed Edward. I also desperately wanted a way to ask him why he was at Justin's house today!

He squeezed my arm where we interlaced and said he would lead the way to the trailer. Once inside, Edward opened the plans and explained his vision for the Ferris wheel.

"Wow son, that's quite ambitious, isn't it?" Charlie asked.

"It is, it is, no doubt. But it's backed by my company and has been cleared by SSA, so it's full steam ahead," Edward agreed, then went on to tell the story of his cousin.

"This is certainly a long way off from hockey," Carlisle said skeptically. Edward told them the same story he had shared with me about feeling like he had a second chance after his hockey career ended and wanting to do something good. Alice and Jasper were interested when Edward said there was potential for him to travel the world setting up more Ferris Wheels like the one he was designing to be built at SSA.

Esme came to my side, placing her arm around my shoulders. When she looked at me with big eyes, I smiled. She saw the good in Edward and approved. I leaned my head on her shoulder, and she patted my cheek lightly in a sign of motherly affection. "It looks like you are finding a way," she whispered to me approvingly.

"I've got to hand it to you son," Charlie said, "it's a tall order and you've got a lot of heart." Awww, dad, what a nice thing to say.

Edward barely was able to acknowledge and thank him when Carlisle seemed to hurry us out.

"Yes, well, I'm afraid I have rounds in a bit so was there more to today?" Carlisle interjected and I wanted to kill him for his hurried tone. He was bordering on rude. Esme shot him a look as he moved to the door. Edward rolled up his plans and replaced them in the tube and cabinet. My family exited the trailer and he kissed me gently on my cheek then took my gloved hand and led me out of the trailer and back over to the rink.

"I thought we'd toss around a puck, if that is okay with you all."

"That's more than okay with me," Charlie said. "I've never played hockey with a pro before."

We laced up our skates. Alice did hers a bit too fast, and I shot her a look. She mouthed, "Sorry,"and then turned her attention to Edward who was asking if we could all skate.

"No worries, champ, we're all willing to give it a try," said Jasper, as he handed out hockey sticks, and I knew he was patronizing Edward merely because he could get away with it.

Without Emmett there, the teams were off, but Edward set things up as girls against the boys and we followed along. Edward and I met in the middle, the puck was dropped, and we scrambled over it. He laughed. "Okay doc, show me what you've got." I kept the puck within a close range, batting it back and forth in front of me with gentle sweeps of my stick as I skated down the ice. Edward got in my face and smiled coyly making me let my guard down. I heard Charlie rooting for Edward. In a swift motion, he had stolen the puck from me, was taking it down the ice and passed it to Jasper who sailed it into the goal.

"SCORE!" Jasper yelled.

Edward high-fived his teammates then skated back over to me and attempted to kiss me. He met my hockey stick in front of me instead.

"Okay doc, if that's how you want it to be. It's just a friendly little game though." Edward put his hands and stick up in defense.

"I'll reserve my friendliness until after the game is over," I replied. He had just been about to skate off when he stopped and looked at me. "You know, at your hotel," I said, batting my eyelashes. I think Edward felt a little dazzled in the moment.

"Come on, we're ready!" Alice was calling. She and Jasper were in the middle waiting to face off. Edward skated over and dropped the puck for them. Jasper had gotten the puck, and Esme went to protect the goal. Jasper took the puck all the way down the ice, shaking off both me and Alice, but his shot was stopped by Esme, who in turn ran the puck down the ice, fighting off the guys and scoring. The female vampires cheered and hugged.

The game continued on back and forth for a bit, and I could tell Charlie was having the most fun. He fumbled a bit. I hadn't seen my dad skate for years, and when he swung the hockey stick, it was with way too much force, but I knew the Cullens and I were all keeping our abilities in check.

"Hey guys," called Emmett, who stood there with a red-headed female vamp on his arm. He looked drunk. Not with Aunt Tanya's cocktails. No, more like dazzle drunk and in a sloppy way. I can't believe he brought her here!

The game stopped, and introductions were made to Victoria. Before anyone had a chance to invite them into the game, I told Emmett I wanted to speak with him and Victoria privately. "Go ahead with the game, everyone, we'll be right back." I headed for the door.

We stepped outside, and I laid into Emmett, "How dare you bring her here when you knew my dad and boyfriend are here!"

"Your boyfriend is human?" Victoria asked incredulously. "With such a delicious smell."

"Yes, so is my dad, and both of them are off limits to you!" I spat.

"Relax, Bella. You act like Victoria has no control."

"I can assure you that I can control myself," Victoria said on her own behalf.

"Really? You've already commented on his smell. And your red eyes have that dark hue to them suggesting you could eat. According to Carlisle, the vegetarians are the only ones who can control the thirst. I won't have you endangering the humans I love!" I growled defensively.

"What is this? Everyone gets to meet and skate with Edward but not my girl?" Emmett asked.

"It's not the right timing Emmett. You know as well as I do that it's a fragile situation."

"Maybe I should leave," Victoria offered.

"Yes, maybe you should," I responded curtly, though my anger wasn't meant for her, it was meant for Emmett. He knew the situation and had no problem risking my dad's life. Maybe he didn't know Edward, but he had a well-established relationship with Charlie and many times willingly sought to protect him.

"If she leaves, then I leave," Emmett threatened but before I could reply I heard a crash from inside the rink.

"Bella come quick, it's Edward!" Alice was suddenly calling to me. Edward? My mind switched gears in a nanosecond. Without any hesitation, I flashed inside.

"What happened?" I yelled when I approached and saw Edward laying on the ice. Carlisle was bent over him with his hands on Edward's chest. "Carlisle?" I asked desperately as he placed a hand up in the air to me. A large bruise was forming on the right side of Edward's forehead.

"He's out cold. I think we better transport him to the hospital."

Charlie stood off to the side with his head buried in his hand. I looked to Jasper who offered nothing, no reading on Edward because he was unconscious. "Alice?" I pleaded.

"Sorry Bella, but I didn't see any of this coming today. Go! I'll stay behind with Charlie and then bring him the hospital." She turned Charlie away so he wouldn't see how fast we were tending to things.

Carlisle scooped Edward up into his arms while Esme had gone to retrieve their Land Rover.

"How badly . . . what happened . . . is he going to be okay?" I begged of Carlisle as we ran with Edward to the parking lot where we met Esme. He warned me not to think the worst and told me to meet them at the hospital.

I followed them over to the hospital in the cherry bomb, still not knowing what happened but desperately trying to text Jasper and Alice for some answers.

When we got to the hospital, Carlisle must have called ahead, as we were met by a stretcher and transport. I watched as they laid Edward on it, holding his hand asking him if he could hear me. Carlisle easily scrubbed up and slipped on his doctor's coat before tending to Edward in the ER as he checked his eyes for a reaction. "Edward," he asked, "Can you hear me." Edward moaned slightly. "You're in the hospital, Edward, I need you to talk to me if you can."

Edward was being hooked up to tons of things while I stood there listening to Jasper's account of what happened. "Your father got a good swipe at the puck in but it was a little too high. Edward stepped in to prevent it from hitting the goal and the puck got him straight in the head. He dropped down on the ice."

Edward's heartbeat was all screwed up, and I went to him, opening his shirt and placing my hand gently on his chest, directly over his heart. Carlisle watched the monitor curiously as Edward's heart rate and rhythm normalized.

"Bella?" Edward whispered without opening his eyes.

"I'm here," I assured him gently.

"I know," he responded in a groggy voice.

"Edward, it's Dr. Cullen. Do you remember what happened?"

Edward moved his hand to his forehead where the bruise had formed. "Oww," he said. "I took one right to the head didn't I?"

Carlisle continued to examine him. "That's right, and now we're going to have to get some x-rays, but it's probable you have a mild concussion."

"I'm pretty sure I walk around with a concussion everyday, and this just fucking exacerbated it," Edward joked.

"Well now, throwing around language like that makes me certain you'll be just fine. You're going to need to stay off your feet, take it easy, and rest," Carlisle said.

Charlie showed up with Alice. "Edward I'm so sorry," Charlie apologized. He looked sympathetic but shrugged, mouthing the word sorry to me.

"I'm not staying here tonight," Edward declared.

"You'll have to for observation. Two to three days, in fact because you'll need to be monitored," Carlisle said.

"Nope, not gonna happen. I have no interest in staying in a hospital more than necessary. I'll be fine in my hotel room where I have room service and cable and everything I need."

"Edward. I'm sorry but as your doctor, and a colleague of Dr. March, I can't allow you to go back to your hotel without anyone to watch over you. The possible side effects of a concussion on top of your medical history could be devastating."

"What if he stayed with us. . ." I didn't finish asking when Alice pulled me aside. "You know that's not a good idea, Bella," she whispered to me before I could ask about bringing him to the Cullen house to stay. She was right. Between Emmett's new girlfriend or Esme's post-channeling thirst or any other cast of characters who might show up, there was no telling how much danger he would be in.

I looked at Edward, my hand now holding his. How much time had he already spent in hospitals? Now he had to spend more and it was all my fault.

"What if I took responsibility for him?" Charlie offered. "I do have a spare room these days," he continued, "if you wanted to bunk at my house. Not that I'm home all the time but Bella could fill in the missing hours."

Really, was my dad offering up my old room to Edward?

"I mean, if you think you'll be comfortable," he added. "I don't mind. It's not like I don't have the room. And hell, something's gotta ease my guilt right now."

"I'm not sure if . . . ," I said, shooting a look to my dad.

"Okay Edward, how about I make you a deal? You stay here overnight for observation, and we'll work things out from there, releasing you to Charlie's care and house," Carlisle continued the conversation. Edward accepted the offer and I was outnumbered.

"Bella, as long as you're here, how about if you check in on a few patients with me?" He nodded his head away from Edward and I knew it was my cue.

Alice and Jasper both nodded that they would be there to watch Edward and stay with Charlie.

"Sure," I agreed squeezing Edward's hand goodbye before following Carlisle from Edward's bed and out of the ER.

"I'm going to place the orders for him to be set up in a room tonight. I'd imagine you are willing to stay with him?"

"Yes, of course. But Carlisle, I really want to know...what did you think of his work? I mean what he is doing at SSA? It's fantastic isn't it?"

Carlisle answered quickly. "It's ambitious and I hope he has a solid team in place to see it all the way through."

That's it?

"Now then, let's clean up and check in on some patients."

After rounds, Carlisle let me out of my usual research assignments, being as I wasn't supposed to be in tonight, and I headed over to Edward's room. I was supposed to be with Edward in a hotel tonight, I thought as I made my way to his room.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" I asked.

"In a word? Ridiculous," he laughed. "And I can't yet really tell if I made a good impression on your dad or not."

"I'd say when it comes to Charlie . . . Hell, I can't tell either, yet." We both chuckled and he informed me that Alice and Jasper were going to make sure Charlie got back to his car at SSA. I send Alice a quick text to thank her.

"I see they've got you in your favorite Gucci hospital gown. I guess the new Dior line hasn't come in yet."

He smiled at me and I smiled back at his easy-going nature, thinking back to the first conversation we had in the hospital.

"I'll go to your hotel and get some things for you, okay?"

"Yeah, but not now, right? You'll stay?"

"I'll stay," I smoothed out some wrinkles in his gown across his chest, careful not to disturb where the electrodes were placed on him. "Maybe scrounge you up some white chocolate chip cookies and milk, even."

"That would probably be fantastic, but more so I just want you to stay with me. I want to make sure I didn't freak you out." He searched my eyes looking for something. "Especially after the little joke I pulled."

"No, you didn't freak me out." I stared at the bruise on his forehead. You did a real bang up job, Dad! This should never have happened.

"Good. Hey when you go to my hotel room, can you bring my briefcase?"

"Uh huh," I replied distracted.

"There's some paperwork and emails I can at least catch up on. And...there's a manilla folder in the safe in my room. I need that. I have the key in my pocket. And if somehow you could get my car from the park?"

"Sure, of course, whatever you need," I answered lazily, still distracted in my head.

"What I need right now is for you to stop looking at me like that," he said, shaking me from my thoughts.

"Like what?"

"Like somehow you caused this, you're blaming yourself, and you're going to stick another 'Fragile: Handle with care' sign on me and walk away," he replied.

He was right. I was way too deep in my thoughts of how today I put his life in danger in ways he would never know or understand. I had him surrounded by vampires - one was even a vicious killer of humans! Really, what was Emmett thinking? And then of all people it was my dad who takes Edward out. This was all moving too fast and spiraling too out of control.

"It's not your fault," he insisted.

"Isn't it? If you hadn't met me you wouldn't have wanted to meet my family and this would have never of . . . ."

He reached his hand out for mine. "It was an accident. An accident that I can live with, Bella" he stretched to grab my hand, pulling me in toward him until our lips met. "But you I can't live without, so whatever guilt or doubt you're feeling, don't."

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A/N: Thank you for reading!

Bazinga! Lots going on. So that meet and skate was kind of a fiasco, huh? But details are really falling into place here and you should be figuring out this story by now!

I appreciate all reviews, but especially the msg from last chapter's guest reviewer. :) I don't know about 'amazing' but glad for enjoyment of my story! -J

Thanks D!