AN: This is Tami's chapter, and she wants me to apologize for her that it took so long to write BUT I have to add my two cents in that she was extremely sick, so this is a bit understandable. Thankfully, she feels a lot better now and this is a great addition to the story!

BPOV

"Bella! Cmon," Alice exclaimed, tugging my arm and propelling me out of the stands. I stalled long enough for Edward to meet my eyes as he glanced over the head of the reporter interviewing him. He nodded almost imperceptibly and gave me a small, sympathetic smile, before turning his attention back to the reporter. I sighed, at least knowing he wouldn't miss me. I glanced worriedly at the clock. He was supposed to swim the final in a couple hours and should be warming down and getting a massage. The reporter had accosted him as soon as he'd set foot out of the water and had been occupying way too much of his valuable time. I bit my lip wondering if I should go step in and save him, slowing my already dragging pace even more.

"Bella!" Alice screeched, her voice growing higher pitched to emphasize her irritation, "Stop dawdling. I told you that I needed to talk to you and the only way I'm going to get a decent conversation from you is if I take you out of his vicinity so you can't make sheep eyes at him and sigh every time he flexes his muscles." I stopped walking, slightly insulted. I really wasn't that bad, was I? It couldn't be that obvious that I was madly in love with Edward Cullen.

"Fine, Alice. I'll come, but we have to be back here for the race," I said. I let her lead me forward and drifted off into thoughts of the night before. Edward had been so amazingly sweet. Somehow he'd sensed the need that I'd always had to conquer my fear of water, and he'd made it possible. Of course, we could have been sinking deeper and deeper into quicksand and I wouldn't have minded. Not with his lips pressed on mine, taking me away from the world and into a place that I'd feared didn't exist--at least for me. But it did, that glorious place where a person could achieve bliss just by being with that special someone. In all of my previous relationships, I'd never felt this way, never felt the world disappear so completely, and I'd never been happier. I ignored the ever-present warning in the back of my head that told me it was too good to be true, that Edward couldn't possibly feel the same way about me as I did about him, no matter how loving he acted towards me. He was under a great amount of stress, and for some reason I seemed to relieve it at the moment. Of course, when the races were over and he had those medals in his pocket, he'd be even more famous and wouldn't want to spend his time with a small town, average reporter.

Alice cut off my thoughts as she tugged me into an empty room. I sat down and watched her pace back and forth, muttering to herself. Finally I couldn't take it anymore. "What, Alice? Why did you drag me here?"

She stopped pacing and came to stand in front of my chair. "Everyone is acting so strange. Emmett is always walking around with a secretive smile on his face and won't tell me anything, you've disappeared off the planet lately and the only time I see you, you're mooning around, and Rose won't go shopping with me! She says she needs to focus on her matches, which I understand, but we are in China and we can't leave without buying a cheongsam for each of us. But all of you are too caught up in life to take a time out. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm so happy for you now that you finally found someone, Bella. Really happy. It's just that I've missed you lately. And you aren't telling me anything." She broke off in a huff and I was finally beginning to understand her. I had never been this secretive about my relationships before and generally the first thing I did after coming home from a date was to call her. But this was too fresh for me, too new, and I didn't know how to convey that to her.

"I'm sorry, Alice. I know that I haven't been as open about my relationship with Edward as I usually am. It's just that, I don't know exactly what to think. He's everything I've ever wanted...and more, but it all scares me. It's all happened so fast and we're from entirely different lives. I feel like I'm living in a dream world right now, and as soon as the swimming is over, then it's all over. He'll go back to his every day life, and I'll go back to doing meaningless articles at the bottom of the totem pole at the Oregonian," I explained.

She was silent for a moment before she spoke. "Bella, I know you're scared. Everyone who has finally found the right person gets that way. Its inevitable, really, and you guys have perhaps a bit more difficulties than most couples. But, listen to me. It really doesn't matter. I've seen the way that man looks at you and the way you look at him, and I know that you guys are going to make it. There is nothing that is going to pry him from your side..unless that something is you." She looked at me shrewdly and for some odd reason, I felt guilty. As if I was planning on screwing up the best thing that ever happened to me!

I tried to secretly glance at my watch, hoping she wouldn't spot my need to monitor the time. I wasn't going to miss a second of this final. I had to admit, I was nervous for Edward. The buzz around here was that this was one of two races where Edward really had to worry about not winning the gold with his team members. It wasn't that they were bad, it was that Spain's team was extraordinarily good. They'd been inching up on the world record (currently held by the American team) at every meet and had sworn to beat them.

"Bella," Alice snapped, "stop looking at your watch. We have plenty to time. Besides, that's not the only reason I called you in here."

"It isn't," I asked curiously, momentarily distracted by the thought of a reason that was even more important to Alice than my love life and her need to take at least one shopping trip in China.

"Of course not. I would have just cornered you at your hotel tonight if that's all I wanted to talk about," she huffed. I looked at her and waited, unwilling to chance a guess that I knew ultimately would be wrong.

"Bella, have you by chance been ignoring certain phone calls?" she asked sweetly. Of course. Somehow she'd found out about me ignoring calls from Laurent. I wouldn't put it past him to find a way to contact her.

"I didn't want to deal with him. How did you know by the way?" I muttered.

"Well, he's been calling and complaining to Jasper. You know, last night was the last straw. Three in the morning and his phone starts ringing again. May I suggest that you give him a call so he not only gets off our backs but stops pestering you as well?"

"I just don't know what to say to him. He already suggested that the only reason I got this opportunity was because of my looks. Now there really is a relationship, but one that I refuse to use for any sort of publicity," I answered, biting my lip in worry.

"May I give you some advice, Bella?" she asked in a concerned tone. I nodded, and she continued. "You're right. This article has nothing to do with your personal life and you just need to tell your boss that. You're going to write about Edward Cullen: the amazing Olympic swimmer, not Edward Cullen: the amazing boyfriend. Edward trusts you to write whatever is best for him. You just need to trust yourself," she advised.

Although I was a little thrown off by her use of the word boyfriend, I saw the logic in what she was saying. I also realized that I'd have to talk to my boss sometime, so I might as well get it over with. Next time he called, I'd answer. I'd be strong and professional, and wouldn't let his unwanted questions about my relationship with Edward rattle me. Alice seeing my newfound resolve, nodded her head in satisfaction and pulled me out of my seat.

"Okay, now that that's all settled, let's get back and watch the races." I looked down at my watch and gasped. I only had an hour until Edward swam and I still hadn't had a chance to work on the article. I'd planned on using the time between races to make a general outline of things I definitely wanted to write about him in the article. Now I wouldn't have much of a chance--not after we went through security then pushed our way through the stands to our spot. At least I'd been able to talk about how I'd been feeling to Alice. She was always good for advice and reassurance.

****************

I sat in the stands shifting nervously as Edward stood next to his teammates. It was only a few minutes before the race would began and I was already nervous, hands trembling as I watched him shake hands with his team members before stretching and pulling on his goggles. He would be swimming second and I knew that this was one race that was not certain for him. He would be swimming second, and I knew he would do wonderful, of course, but it all hinged on his teammate Tyler, who would be the anchor. They were up against a very swift Spanish team, and it would be a tight, nerve-wracking race.

Seven minutes later, I was breathing a huge sigh of relief as Edward and his teammates one yet another gold medal for the USA. They stood victorious as Jacob Black and his team members looked on, scowls on their faces. I couldn't help but gloat that he was getting just what he deserved--losing yet again. The phone in my purse began to vibrate, and instinctively I knew exactly who it would be. Laurent. I sighed, then began making my way out of the stands. I'd promised Alice I would talk to him, and apparently now was the time of reckoning.

I saw Edward glance up as I pushed my way through the stands, and waved to him. He smiled and turned his attention back to the dozens of reporters vying for his attention, and I finally made my way through the crowds. The phone had stopped ringing by this point, but I knew it was only a matter of time before it began ringing again. Sure enough, just as I reached a door that led to one of the many small conference rooms, the phone began to vibrate once again.

I stepped into the room and pulled out the phone. Sure enough, Laurent Dubois was blinking across the screen. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and flipped the phone open. "Hello," I said and winced at the squeaky sound of my voice. Stupid nerves.

"Bella," Laurent's slimy voiced replied, "it's so nice to finally hear your voice again. So the question is: have you been avoiding my calls, or are you too busy with your boy toy to answer?" I felt my temper ignite. I could never talk to him without feeling I was doing something sneaky and wrong.

"Maybe I've been completing my assignment and getting a good story," I answered, trying unsuccessfully to keep my voice steady. "I can promise you an amazing article about Edward Cullen, but anything about my personal life, or any relationship I may form while employed by you is strictly off limits. Besides, there is absolutely nothing going on with me and Edward. Our relationship is strictly professional." I cringed at the lie.

"Bella, Bella, Bella, no need to get testy with me. I was just a bit put off by you not answering my calls and giving me an update and maybe I got a bit carried away. Calm down," he retorted.

"Sorry," I apologized meekly, not really meaning it.

"Well, now that we've got that settled, how's the article coming?" he asked and I spent the next few minutes explaining that I was being given plenty of information to write an article that would do our paper justice. Thinking that I'd gotten through the conversation without being interrogated, I prepared to say goodbye.

"Well, I'd better.."I began, but was interrupted by Laurent, once again slipping into his too innocent, slick tone that he used to question people with. I sighed. Of course it was too much to hope that I would get out of the conversation that easily.

"So, now that we've gotten through the particulars, why don't you tell the truth about what is happening between you and Edward Cullen? I still can't imagine that he would have picked an unknown journalist for such a huge story." Of course. We were back to this again.

I knew that if I continued to tell him that any relationship I had was none of this business and that there was absolutely nothing going on between us, that he'd jump to conclusions that I really was involved with Edward Cullen. He had a theory that a vehement denial over and over was just a cover up to the truth, and he was usually right. I only hoped that he would trust me not to lie to him and let this topic drop. I would not use Edward to get ahead in my job in any way, no matter how many awkward conversations I was going to have with my boss. Before I could open my mouth to deny a relationship once again, my phone beeped to let me know I had an incoming call and I'd never been more grateful for call waiting or for Alice in my entire life when I glanced down at the screen to see who the caller was.

"I've gotta go," I said quickly to Laurent before he could question me anymore, "I've got a call on the other line, and it could be important. I'll call you later." I hit the call button before he could answer and greeted Alice.

"Where are you?" she screeched. "Emmett is going to be lifting his weights in about 30 minutes. We've got to get moving if we want to make it!" I tucked my phone back in my purse and rushed out the door, determined to talk to Edward as soon as I could. I needed him. And not just to feel his incredible arms around me, but for reassurance and guidance. I was going to tell him how Laurent was pressuring me, and ask him for guidance. Usually I preferred to figure things out on my own, but for the first time in a long while, I didn't want that. I wanted to share things with Edward, wanted to run problems by him and have him help me. Most of all, I wanted him to bring his problems to me, and have him trust me enough to make things better. Like I trusted him, at least with my problems. I still couldn't stop believing that the dream would end once the last gold medal was in his hand, and he'd disappear back into his glamorous world, leaving me on the outside.

A few hours later, I was the one dragging Alice away from the building we had watched Emmett crush his competition in. I was anxious to get to Edward. We'd exchanged a few texts and I knew he wasn't currently busy and waiting for me. I quickened my pace at the thought.

"Wait, Bella!" Alice finally squealed, causing me to slow my pace for a second. I looked at her and was surprised that she was almost running to keep up with me. I smiled sheepishly at her. "Sorry," I apologized.

"It's okay, I understand. I think I'll let you go ahead. I'll just go back and wait for Jasper to finish taking those pictures. See ya later," she said, waving to me. Though I felt slightly guilty, nothing was going to stop me from getting to Edward as quickly as I could, so I waved in return, and continued my mad dash towards the athletes village. Edward was supposed to meet me out front, and I didn't want to keep him waiting any longer than he already had.

I slowed my pace as the building came in sight, hoping that I'd done so quickly enough that Edward hadn't spotted the crazy leap I'd just made over a puddle in the sidewalk. Somehow I hadn't noticed it until it was right in front of me and I miraculously managed to jump it without tripping and falling into a heap right in the middle of it.

He was standing in front of the building looking as perfect as ever. I slowed down even more, trying unsuccessfully to rearrange my wild hair and praying futilely that my cheeks weren't bright red from my schoolgirl antics. I stopped right in front of him, suddenly unsure of how I should greet him, still not wanting to be too obvious about our relationship when anyone could be watching. He solved my dilemma quickly by pulling me into his arms and placing a soft kiss on my lips. I was home. I pulled back and let him hold me for a while, savoring our closeness.

"So, what do you want to do tonight? We could go to dinner again, and we could interview each other more," Edward suggested smiling at me. I smiled at his suggestion. "Or," he continued sneakily, "we could go jump over some puddles. I noticed that you like to do that." His grin was full blown now and I scowled at him.

"You weren't supposed to see that," I said glaring at him for teasing me.

"Hey, I thought it was cute. So what's the game plan?"

"Well, actually I was wondering if I could talk to you about something," I began hesitantly.

"Sure. Is everything alright? You look worried," he asked in a concerned tone.

"Well, my boss has been calling me. He's..pestering me. He keeps asking me what our relationship is, probably thinking he's going to get the scoop on you before anyone else. I've denied anything between us. I don't want you to think that I would ever use you or anything that's between us to get ahead in my work. And I would never use anything that you tell me in confidence--things you don't want the world to know--in the article I'm writing," I explained.

"Bella, I know that you wouldn't. I trust you remember. Would you like me to call your boss and talk to him? I can assure him that I have complete confidence in your journalism skills and that I selected you to do the article because you were highly recommended by Alice if that will make you feel better." He hugged me and I relaxed against him.

"You don't have to do that. I think what I told him earlier satisfied him and hopefully he'll leave me alone. Thanks, though," I said and couldn't help but smile at him.

"Well, now that's settled, why don't we go find something to eat?" he suggested, grabbing my hand and pulling me along. "I'm starving."

"That's not anything new," I laughed and quickened my footsteps to keep up with him.

special surprise POV next chapter by bethaboo!!!!!

should be up in a few days!