A/N: a quarter of the way there... Some more puke and cheese puffs before I decided to get sadistic :)

Chapter 10

Alligators and Crocodiles

Edward's POV

"You be a gentleman, now," Alice teased me, winking with a sly grin—like the annoying little pain in the ass she was—before running back inside.

I only rolled my eyes at the little rat before turning to Bella; she looked up at me and smiled. Her eyes were endless, and she looked so fucking fractured that it instantly made me feel edgy. Though, why, I couldn't say.

Nothing about this girl had made sense, since the day I'd met her.

I smiled back at her, thinking about grabbing her hand, when what I really wanted to do was pull her against me and sink my face into the soft part of her neck just below her earlobe. Then I wanted to kiss her—properly; at least, without her turning to fucking stone.

My hands were, typically, beginning to shake, so I shoved them into the pockets of my jeans, noticing that she was shivering into her long sleeved t-shirt. Her jacket was still in the house soaking wet, I quickly reminded myself.

I still couldn't feel the cold—or rather register it with her so close—but for Bella it was the polar opposite. Taking my jacket off, I wrapped it around her shoulders, before carefully gathering her damp hair from beneath it. "Here, Bella. You need this more than me."

She gazed up at me, smiling gratefully, and eagerly slipped into it, hugging it to herself. "Th-thanks, Edward. I don't know if I'll ever get used to this c-cold."

Smiling lightly to myself, I shoved my hands back in my pockets. I didn't really trust them with Bella so close, after all, and I internally cringed when I thought of how close I'd come to grabbing her tits earlier. That would have made me the biggest asshole this side of the equator, but I couldn't fucking control myself around her.

We walked in silence for a moment, when with still no sign of her car, I turned to her. "Bella, why did you park so far away?"

Not that I minded, or anything.

She smiled to herself self-consciously, before glancing up at me to answer, "I w-wasn't aware that your driveway was so long."

"Well, you could have just driven right up to the house," I suggested, lightly.

Her smile turned wry, before she mumbled, "I . . . thought that'd be rude. I d-dunno. . ." She shrugged to herself.

In reply, I only smiled again, before removing my hand from my pocket; I was on the verge of reaching over and grabbing hers, when like the pussy I was, I second guessed myself and jammed it back into my jeans. It seemed easier earlier, when she was upset, but now I was back to doubting fucking everything.

While I tried to psych myself into growing some balls, she turned to me. "Edward, d-do you know where I can buy a good mobile? They don't r-really have a sh-shop here in Forks?"

I stopped walking and turned to fully face her. "Bella . . . are you still cold?" I asked, raising my eyebrows in emphasis and ignoring her question. Mainly because I had no freaking idea what she'd just asked me.

"N-no I'm ok-kay now," she stammered, before exhaling shortly through her nose as her cheeks burned then quickly paled again.

She was cold.

Breaking into a small, amused grin, I took her shivering hands in mine—glad I now had a reason to. "Jesus, Bella. You're hands are like ice. Come here." I sighed, before wrapping my arm around her shoulders, pulling her gently to my side. Her body continued to openly shudder against me—it was actually turning me on. I knew I was a horny bastard in general, but it was pretty fucked up that Bella having hypothermia was giving me a hard on.

I began rubbing my palm up and down her arm—if only to distract myself—when eventually her quivering calmed.

"Better?" I asked her, dropping my head to speak softly into her ear.

She nodded, tensing a little. "Yes . . . thank you."

Jesus, if she wasn't openly laughing at me, she was turning stiff as a board the moment I got close to her.

You throw a girl a pretty fucking clichéd compliment, she blushes, mumbles, and falls at your feet long enough to kiss her and grab her tits. I try that on Bella and she immediately gives me that skeptical eyebrow shit and scoffs at me, then I kiss her and she immediately turns to ice.

What the fuck was I supposed to do with that?

I continued to rub her arm as we walked, and it continued to be a good distraction from the fact that she made me feel so fucking insignificant. With her so close to me, my self-control was about to go over a cliff, and right then, with her cold little body pressing against mine, I was on the verge of doing something impulsive and perverted—and no doubt have her turn cynical on me and shove me away.

Tell a girl she's adorable and they usually turn to water. Tell Bella that and she immediately scoffs.

She really had no idea just how beautiful she was.

"How is it possible that you're not cold?" she asked me in disbelief, a moment later, breaking my thoughts as she tilted her head to look up at me with a knotted brow.

I smiled down at her, and answered lightly, "I have extra, extra hot blood."

Only when I'm around you, I added beneath my breath.

"You must have," she said, shaking her head slightly just as her whole body trembled.

I squeezed my arm tighter around her, before she curved hers, almost apprehensively, around my waist. It was me who tensed this time; I was too conscious of the reaction I was having to her. I had to get a fucking grip on myself, but then she grabbed a fistful of my shirt in her palm and I felt her fingers graze over my bare skin.

I knew I needed to relax, but I knew the minute I did the fucking brick in my jeans would become obvious.

"What was it you asked me about a moment ago, Bella?" I asked in a stiff voice, roughly clearing my throat.

"Oh, yeah—I need a mobile so I can keep in touch with my . . . friends easier. Do you know where I can buy one?" she asked, without looking up at me, and I was sure I noticed a flicker of pain sweep across her face.

Deciding not to press her on it, I focused on the question she'd asked. Only I still had no freaking idea what she was talking about.

"Erm ... what is it you need, Bella?" I asked her again, trying to remain tactful behind my confusion.

"A mo-bile," she answered slowly.

She expected me to know what she meant, but I honest to God had no idea. "Bella . . ." I began, trying to hide my amusement from her this time, "I'm not sure what a mo-bile is."

She took a brash breath. "You've never heard of a mobile phone? An iPhone—a Samsung Galaxy?" There was a trace of impatience in her tone.

I broke into a grin this time, fighting the urge to laugh. "Oh, a cell phone."

She sighed again, sounding slightly exasperated. "Cell phone . . . of course," she mumbled to herself, before glancing up at me again. "Anyway, I don't have one. . ." And again I noticed her expression fall for the briefest moment, reminding me again what she was struggling with.

I really wasn't prepared for the reaction I'd have by seeing Bella so upset. It had completely fucking thrown me.

Clearing my throat softly, I forced back this edginess and squeezed her arm. "There's a few good places to buy them in Port Angeles. I can take you there, i-if you like." In a perfect world I would have been able to speak that one sentence without sounding like such a pussy.

"Sure," she said simply, the tone of her voice brighter. She didn't look up at me, but I caught the small smile inch on her lips.

A part of me wanted to sigh with relief that maybe she'd finally forgiven me over what I'd said to Jacob, but I knew with Bella, that no matter how confident I felt, she could cut me back down in an instant.

We walked on again in silence. Bella became lost in thought, becoming more and more distracted, as her expression began mirroring the obvious pain that was reflecting in her eyes. I squeezed her shoulder again, and she looked up at me.

"I wish I could tell you it's going to be all right, Bella," I said softly, and she nodded, releasing her breath deeply.

"I know," she replied, her voice little more than a whisper and wavering.

If she started crying again, I would fucking crack, and I quickly thought of something to say to distract her.

"Hey?" I tapped her shoulder lightly; she looked up at me again, her brows rising. "Do you remember your first day in Bio when your pen ran out of ink?" I asked her, smiling to myself as I recalled the memory.

She immediately grinned in return. "Yes, when you wouldn't loan me another pen even though you had at least two spare ones that I could see," she answered, wryly.

"Yeah. . ." I sort of half laughed, sheepishly, and she chuckled softly.

"I didn't think you noticed. Weren't you pretending I didn't exist?" she continued to tease me, leaning further in to nudge me in emphasis.

"I-I couldn't help but notice—anyway, you stopped shaking the pen for a moment and kind of smiled to yourself."

She nodded in recollection, her eyes widening in surprise. "You remember that?"

"I remember that," I admitted simply. "What were you thinking about?"

She gazed up and quirked a suspicious eyebrow at me. "For someone pretending I was invisible, you were very perceptive."

Jesus, she was still absolutely owning me, and I wasn't entirely sure I liked it, but I had to get on fucking top of it somehow.

Leaning down to her, I deliberately murmured into her ear, "I was only pretending, Bella."

Her face flushed, and even in the dimness of the moonlight it was still visible. But I couldn't make anything of it, because just when I thought I'd cracked her, she'd close up further and completely fucking squash me in the process.

"You were pretty convincing," she mumbled, with a conceding smile edging on her lips, before she added, lightly and completely straight faced, "I was thinking about stabbing you with it."

"What . . . ?" I asked almost blankly, before breaking into laughter.

Biting down on her lower lip, she continued to smile, almost secretly, to herself. "You wanted to know. . ."

"I guess I deserved it," I said, my chuckling dying down.

"Maybe just a little bit," she replied lightly, breaking my gaze again.

As we walked around the next bend, her jeep came into view. I sighed inwardly to myself; I would've gladly walked her all the way back to her uncle's house at the moment.

Releasing my arm from around her, she pulled her keys from her jeans pocket, before looking up at me with uncertainty creeping back into her eyes.

"I hope my uncle isn't too upset with me. I didn't let him or Jake know where I was going," she confessed.

"I-I called your uncle's place for you, Bella—when you were in Alice's room. I figured they might not know. . ." I admitted, feeling self-conscious all of a sudden.

Was that over stepping?

But if it was or not, she didn't let on. "Oh . . . thank you. Did . . ." she paused, her expression turning slightly pained, "you speak to Jacob?"

"Um, yeah . . . I did," I replied, all but scoffing to myself.

She wrinkled her nose. "Bad?"

"Nothing surprising. He told me if I tried anything he'd rearrange my face," I explained, attempting to muffle my laughter at what a dick the guy was.

Bella only groaned, before breaking into a small rueful looking smile, shaking her head.

"I might have to have a talk with Jacob about that whole crap in the past," I conceded, sighing with resignation; more or less to myself.

It was getting out of hand with him, and I really did need to step up and end the bullshit between us.

Looking up at me, Bella broke into this huge, fucked up beautiful smile. Then very tentatively, she reached over, grabbed my hand, pulling me closer to her, before wrapping her arms gently around my neck.

Oh, fuck!

The minute her body was pressed against mine, my body heat sky rocketed, not to mention the fact that my fucking boner was suddenly straining further behind my jeans. But regardless, I wrapped my arms around her tightly, pressing her further to me before bending down to bury my head into her neck. And without entirely realizing what I was doing, I inhaled that sweet scent of her, grazing her skin with my lips and nose.

Was it creepy that I had tried out every one of Alice's body sprays to find the one that Bella wore? Yeah, I had this fucking pansy-ass idea of spraying it on my pillow.

I never did find it, though.

Curling her arms tighter around my neck, she exhaled deeply, her warm breath flooding me—feeling almost cool in comparison to how hot my skin was climbing. "Thanks for everything today, Edward," she whispered.

"My pleasure, Bella," I replied with a husky sounding voice—always too completely compromised by her.

She held on to me for several moments longer, sighing deeply a few times, as her breath against my burning skin ignited every fucking nerve ending in my body. I felt like a fucking live wire about to burst—and she wasn't tensing; she was completely fluid against me. I moved my head, my cheek running along and down hers as I searched for her lips. She looked up in response, and completely intercepting me, she pressed her lips to my neck. It wasn't exactly what I wanted, but still, it almost brought me fucking undone.

In the next moment, she pulled herself from me, and I released her reluctantly, with sluggish arms, her hand slipping through mine slowly as we pulled apart.

Stepping back, she almost stumbled. I immediately reached out, grabbing her shoulders, and as a result, I almost pulled her out of my jacket she was still wearing.

As I righted her again, she laughed lightly. "Do you want your jacket back?"

I shook my head. "Keep it and give it to me tomorrow."

"Sure?" She snuggled further into it, bringing the sleeve to her nose. "Won't you be cold?" Her gaze began to hedge with concern.

"I-I'm sure," I answered her, jarred. Did she just smell my jacket?

Flashing me another smile, she turned and jumped in the driver's seat of her car. Walking over, I closed the door behind her, returning her smile through the glass, before she wound the window down.

"See you tomorrow, Edward."

"See you later, alligator," I replied, immediately groaning under my breath and bowing my head—wanting to smack myself in the face. Instead, I ran my hand rigidly through my hair, not fucking believing what I'd just said.

Idiot!

When I looked back up, feeling my ears fucking flaming like the pussy I was, Bella was only surveying me, a small amused smile on her lips. "In a while, crocodile," she replied, her voice soft and teasing.

She'd reduced me to a sack of drool once again, and so needing to redeem my pansy ass goodbye, I winked at her. Of course, her response was to quirk that eyebrow at me and smirk to herself, before starting the engine and turning to exit down the driveway. I watched her car as it drove around a bend and out of sight, my skin burning beyond control with a huge fucking boner in my shorts, while being reminded that again she still completely owned my ass.

And I had no fucking clue what I was supposed to do with her.

. . .

As I walked through the front door, Alice was waiting for me; sitting half way up on the stairs. As our eyes met, she flashed me that all knowing grin of hers. "So . . . did you crack on to Bella then?"

I smirked back, feeling my eyebrows coming together in confusion as I processed her meaning. "Did I what to Bella? Sell her crack?" I asked her succumbing to complete bewilderment.

Her laugh was whole-hearted. "It's what Bella says. Translation: did you make a move on her?"

I rolled my eyes, exhaling out an affectionate smile for the little rat. "Well, I didn't do that either."

I made my way up the stairs, and as I passed Alice, she stood up, and I slung my arm over her shoulders.

"So, all looks good, then?" I asked her referring to her tests that afternoon.

She nodded simply. "Carlisle said the scan was clear, and I'm pretty sure my bloods will come back normal. I feel fine—better than fine." She sounded confident.

Inwardly, I breathed a sigh of relief; though it quickly became audible. Every few months being on tenterhooks waiting to see if Alice was still in remission took its toll on everyone; especially me.

I didn't think I would ever be able to breathe easy, though.

"I hope you're not worrying about me, Edward," she scolded me teasingly.

"Why would I worry about a pain in the ass little rat like you?" I retorted.

She shoved me playfully, before her face fell serious. "Poor Bella. I knew there was something seriously wrong—can you believe her mother?"

I released my breath, humming in thought. I got the impression Bella had told me barely a fraction of what her life in Australia had been like. Just saying her mother didn't want her was too cryptic, after all.

Alice suddenly slapped my chest with the back of her hand. "Oh, and a word of warning, you might want to avoid Emmett."

Groaning loudly, I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment. "Tell him I'm out with Jazz."

Emmett would take a shit load of pleasure over catching me with Bella, and if I knew him well enough, he wouldn't let it go very easily.

"Well, that might be a bit hard, because Jazz will be here in a few minutes," Alice replied, in obvious amusement.

"Where is he?" I asked, distracted, and rubbing my forehead with my fingertips.

"In the kitchen with Rose," she answered, breaking out into a light chuckle. "Honestly, Edward, he only gives you shit because you let him."

"Probably. Anyway I'll be down for dinner."

. . .

I had a shower. I jerked off, but it did nothing to relieve the fucking tension. I was still on freaking edge, and starting to be consumed with regret that I didn't kiss Bella again. I'd had the perfect opportunity, and she definitely seemed like she would have been receptive to the idea, but I was relieved in a way that I hadn't. I was glad to know that I had a scrap of self-control, and I doubted Bella needed me to unleash my lust on her; no matter how frustrated I was.

Sighing, I leaned my head on the shower screen, closing my eyes momentarily, unable to get the image of those brown eyes from my mind, or the fucked up way she smelled. . .

I was snapped back to the present moment by Emmett loudly banging on the bathroom door.

"Hey, Bludge! Mom's home and we're eating now," he bellowed, and the asshole was clearly fucking smirking to himself.

I only groaned openly, contemplating skipping dinner. If it was any other night I probably would, but I couldn't. As a mini celebration for Alice's positive test results, Mom bought Chinese food—just as she did every time now. It had become a family tradition.

When I reached the dining room, I almost turned around and walked back out again. Jazz and Rose were staying for dinner, and judging from the fucking smirk on Emmett's face when he turned and met my gaze, he had plans for me.

"Hi, sweetheart," Mom said as she passed me, stopping to squeeze my waist affectionately. "You look like you're in a good mood."

I smiled awkwardly to myself, looking down only to hear wiseass Emmett snort.

"You're the last to arrive too, Edward," Carlisle said, hopping out of his chair to pull out Esme's for her.

"Edith's a bit tired from bludging the kangaroos." Emmett winked at me, as Alice snorted back her laughter, before trying to disguise it as a cough.

Fuck me sideways!

I only sighed stiffly to myself.

"Oh, Honey, can you get the chop sticks?" Mom asked after a moment, bringing out a loud exaggerated groan from Emmett.

"Jeez, I'll go. If bludge does, it'll take him four hours and we'll be eating with our hands."

"What on earth is a bludge?" Mom asked with confusion.

"We still haven't worked it out," Alice replied, fighting the urge to keep a straight face, while asshole Jazz next to her snickered openly.

Mom turned to me with a puzzled, concerned expression. "Are you okay, Edward?"

"I'm fine," I replied, clearing my throat with aggravation.

Emmett came back a few moments later, chopsticks in hand. He passed them to everyone but when he came to me he deliberately passed me by.

Huffing, past fucking patience, I moved to snatch them out of his hand, but he pulled them back at the last minute. "Oh I'm sorry, Edwina. I didn't think you were eating. Didn't you have koala earlier on?"

"Just give me the fucking chopsticks!" I snapped.

"Edward!" Mom exclaimed, before her reproach gave way to obvious confusion. "What's all this about koalas?" she asked me raising her eyebrows quizzically.

"It's nothing. Emmett's just being an idiot as usual," I answered with growing irritation.

"Okay, I hope you're going to keep it clean, Emmett. We're at the dinner table, remember?" Esme spoke sternly, her gaze remaining on Emmett for several seconds longer.

Emmett snorted, turning to me. "What do they call forth base down under, bludge?"

Exhaling a slow frustrated breath, I covered my forehead with one of my hands, wolfing down my food with the other. I was eager to finish before Alice filled in fucking Jazz.

When I was scaling the stairs to go back to my room, after, Emmett was in the process of saying goodbye to Rose, when she suddenly exclaimed in frustration, "I'm not from Australia—it's not a damn bludge!"

Fuck my life.

. . .

I was lying on my back with both my hands covering my face, contemplating bludging in the fucking shower again, when Alice knocked on my door.

"What do you want, Alice?" I called to her, running my hands from my face through my hair, not too eager at having another girlie conversation with her.

She creaked the door open a few inches and peeked in. "Are you asleep, Edward—how did you know it was me?"

I only sat up and quirked a dubious eyebrow at her.

She flashed me a wry smile and stepped inside.

"By all means, Alice, come on in."

She sat on the corner of my bed, looking reflective for a moment. "I wanted to talk to you . . . about Bella."

I could sense some kind of lecture. I sighed again—it was all I seemed to be fucking doing lately. "What about Bella?"

"Well, I wanted to ask you to . . . take it easy—"

"What?" I demanded, interjecting. "What the fuck does that mean? What do you think I'm going to do?"

"What I mean is, she's going through a bit, and I know you like her. I thought maybe you should give her a bit of space for a while and we could band together to cheer her up." She was attempting to be tactful; though, I suspected she knew she wasn't being very successful at it.

"Jesus, Alice!" I complained. "What do you think I am? Some kind of horny fucking dog that's going to hump her leg the moment I see her tomorrow?"

"I know what you're saying, Edward. . ." she paused and shrugged sheepishly. "It's just that Bella and I have become really good friends, and I guess I'm afraid you're going to do something to screw it up again."

"Well, thanks for the vote of fucking confidence," I muttered, dryly.

"You know what I mean—anyway, Mom washed and dried her jacket. Just thought I'd let you know." She flashed me a quick smile, before getting up to leave.

"Yeah okay, just remind me in the morning," I replied in attempt to sound casual. Though nothing and no one would cause me to forget Bella's jacket in the morning, but I suspected Alice was well aware of how fucking pathetic I was when it came to Bella.

She raised her eyebrows at me skeptically, her smile again turning to a smirk. "Uh-huh."

I huffed, not really angry at the little rat. "Alice, how many times do I have to throw you out of my room?"

"At least once a week," she replied before skipping out of my room in laughter, easily dodging the pillow I threw at her.

. . .

I was the first one up the next morning, Alice—I assumed it was Alice—and probably anticipating me, had left Bella's jacket hanging over a stool at the kitchen bench. Picking it up, I almost subconsciously brought it to my face; inhaling the trace scent that was left of Bella, intermingled with the smell of detergent. Then tucking it under my arm, I headed out the back door without breakfast; eager to avoid more shit from Emmett.

I ended up driving around the block several times, not wanting to look too eager—but more concerned that I'd arrive at school with a fucking hard-on.

By the time I arrived, Bella was already at school, standing beside her truck chatting with Alice; my jacket under her arm. When I exited the car and made my way over to her, she glanced up, meeting my gaze and smiling, but almost awkwardly.

"Hey, Bella." My mutinous fucking voice hitched at just over a whisper.

"Hi, Edward," she replied, quietly, and I couldn't figure her out. Was she shy or did she still not trust me?

"Is there any news?" I asked, thinking maybe her thoughts were still preoccupied over it.

"Um . . . she's still hanging on," she said, softly clearing her throat and half shrugging, before her gaze dropped to the ground.

My eyes almost subconsciously met Alice's; she only smiled at me in understanding, but for me or Bella, I had no fucking idea.

"Here's your coat, Bella," I said breaking her thoughts, before she again looked up to me. I extended it to her.

"Thanks—for lending me yours," she stammered, handing me mine, simultaneously, and smiling at me genuinely this time.

I took it; it was warm from being in her arms. "You don't have to thank me, Bella. I had to do something last night—your lips were going blue," I teased her, lightly.

But her smile turned quickly self-conscious, before she bit down on her lower lip.

Okay, nothing was working with her.

With a small internal sigh, I took off my current jacket and put on the one Bella had just returned to me. It was soaked with the scent of her that made me almost sway as I discreetly inhaled it in.

It caught Alice's attention, and she arched an eyebrow derisively as the little rat fought off a sly smile.

"It—it's my favorite," I mumbled, turning away to open my trunk.

Tossing my discarded jacket inside, I turned back—when I was confident I didn't look as fucking awkward as Bella did.

"Is it?" Alice questioned, her eyebrow arching even further.

I threw her a subtle scowl, before huffing softly to myself and turning back to Bella; she was watching Alice and I with a small smile inching on her lips, this time.

The bell signaled for the start of class, and collectively we all turned to head toward the main building. Alice, not very fucking tactfully, moved to the other side of Bella so that she was between us.

"So when do you want to buy your mobile phone, Bella?" I tried again, and this time she appeared more responsive to me.

Flashing me a mocking scowl, she answered, "Soon. I was thinking of installing Skype, but the internet connection back home is terrible."

"Get an iPhone and then you can facetime," Alice suggested.

Bella opened her mouth to reply, but paused, tilting her head. "Yeah…"

"We can all go into Port Angeles tomorrow, Bella—so you can buy your phone," Alice suggested.

I groaned inwardly, and the little rat caught on immediately, retracting, "Oh—hang on, I think Jazz and I are going . . . somewhere. . ."

Did she have to sound so fucking deliberately unconvincing? I wondered, half rolling my eyes.

"It's okay, Alice," Bella assured her, appearing suddenly amused.

Alice had to go to her locker before class, and without the little rat's presence, Bella appeared to lighten up around me. I was beginning to think her discomfort was because Alice was my sister, and too close—not to mention a fucking busy-body who stuck her nose into everything.

She chatted to me easily as I walked her to class—almost walking into her fucking homeroom with her.

"Are you joining us today, Mr. Cullen?" Mr. Fox asked me dryly.

"Uh—no," I stammered feeling like a giant fucking dickhead, before turning to Bella.

"Talk later, alligator," she teased me.

And just like that she was back to owning my ass.

A/N: Later, gators...