A few things before we get to the chapter. Yes, Edward shouldn't have hid his past like that and no, he shouldn't have blurted private information about Bella to Jess that can be used against her in the court of public opinion. There is a method to my madness, I promise.

Also I mentioned Grey's Anatomy storylines. You'll see some in just about every chapter so you've been forewarned.

Thank you to Team Harpy and thank you to all the readers. I am nothing without either of you.

Chapter 4

Edward

"Here's your badge. Use it to scan into all entrances. Here's your car placard, so I can just let you on through daily. No guns are allowed on premises, so if you have one, I'll need to confiscate it, and I'll give it back at the end of the day. Any questions?" the gate guard asks me.

"No guns and no questions."

"Then you're all set. Your parking place is in the third row. Your name is on it. The door you entered last time is the one you'll use. Your assistant will take it from there."

My assistant? Wow, okay. I find my parking place, grab my things, and am met at the door by a twenty-something brunette.

"Dr. Cullen? I'm Bree Tanner, your new assistant. We have lots to do today, so if you'll follow me, I'll show you to your office." She starts to walk, and I follow her, trying to pay attention so I don't get lost. "You have a meeting in the writer's room at ten thirty. Lunch is from noon until one. This afternoon you'll do research for the scripts you'll get this morning. In between, you'll be constantly interrupted with questions and may be required to be on set to physically show the actors what to do. You'll be a very popular guy."

"Just what I've always wanted."

She laughs as she scans her badge to get into an office. My office. It's big. Impersonal. Huge cherry-wood desk with an ergonomic chair. Medical texts are on a bookcase to the right for easy reach. A top-of-the-line laptop is on the desk along with pens. There are two chairs in front of the desk for meetings, I assume. A leather couch and glass coffee table are to the left of the desk. I see a door next to the bookcase, and Bree's eyes follow mine.

"That's a full bathroom in case you stay over." She walks over and opens the door, and I peer in. It indeed is a full bathroom. "This door right here is a small closet in case you want to keep a change or two of clothes. Towels are under the sink. So is a supply of paper towels and toilet paper."

We walk back to the center of the office. "Any questions?"

"Where's the writers' room?"

"Take a left, and it's three doors down. Oh, here's your work phone." She hands me the newest iPhone. "I'm under Bree. Call me anytime you need something, and I'll be here. My office is next door. I think you'll like it here. I'll leave you to get settled in."

I sit in my chair and snap a few pics to send to Jess. This is definitely an upgrade from my last job. I check out the drawers and find the usual office supplies. I turn on my computer, and my calendar pops up. Popular indeed. I blow out a breath.

At ten twenty-five, I exit my office and walk three doors down to the writers' room. It's easy to find it. It's crammed full of people with whiteboards all over. Some are empty, but most have writing all over them. Ideas, dialogue, plot lines. It's like a Pinterest board. All the chatter stops when I enter.

Alec grins and jogs over. "Welcome to insanity." He turns to the rest of the room. "Everyone, this is our new medical advisor. Edward Cullen, this is Chelsea, my co-show runner. Maria, Tia, Felix, Carmen, and Marcus." He points to each as he names them, and they all nod at me. I nod back.

"Okay, let's get started. Edward, have a seat over there, and we'll guide you through this. We have meetings on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for an episode that is a month ahead. We're shooting three episodes ahead at the moment, with today being a new script. I know your schedule says research this afternoon, but for the next few weeks, I'm going to need you at the Monday read-throughs of the script with the cast because I need you to fix anything that isn't correct. I'll give you an advance copy before we leave, and you can make any changes then to present at the read-through. Today, we're working on an episode entitled 'Bring On The Pain.' Now we usually come in on Monday with several ideas of themes to focus around the title. As you know, there's usually a lesson the doctors learn or a case that parallels what path their life is on at that moment. So what ideas do we have?"

Each person gives an idea, which Alec or Chelsea throw up on a board behind them. I see things such as gunshot wounds, car wreck, building collapse, but the fact is, pain is subjective, and all things can cause pain.

I hesitantly raise my hand.

"This isn't school; you can just speak," Alec says.

"I'm also not rude. I had a case once where a foster child was brought in, and she was all bruised up, but she kept saying she was fine. The foster parents insisted that she be checked out, but of course, we all assumed they were abusing her. CPS was called. She kept saying she had superpowers. Turns out she had internal bleeding from letting a kid hit her in the stomach with a baseball bat. She had congenital insensitivity to pain. It's caused by a mutation of the SCN9A gene. She simply can't feel physical pain. But the emotional pain of potentially losing the best foster family she'd ever been placed with was also an issue to be dealt with."

"Is she okay?" Maria asks.

"She was adopted by them last year."

"That's a great idea. Throw it up on the other board as a definite. We'll have to fudge out some details, so it's not an exact case. We have to avoid lawsuits. Any other cases you have?" Alec pries.

"Well, this is really out there but could be entertaining. Porn as pain management."

"Say what now?" Carmen laughs.

"Porn can cause endorphins, which help with pain. You could have a guy come in with chronic back pain who puts it on his phone, and it's playing loudly throughout the ER."

"Love. It. I'm really glad we hired you. Throw it up on the board." Chelsea laughs.

I settle back in my chair and answer the occasional question as they map out the next episode.

I don't see Bella at lunch, but a lot of actors are missing, so I assume they're shooting. I ate the pizza I wanted last time, and it is so good I have two pieces. Several people stop by to introduce themselves and tell me they're glad I'm working with them.

I find my way back to my office, and I see Bree has laid the last few scripts on my desk that I need to "correct" before shooting. I loosen my tie and get started. I'm startled by the phone, and I answer with a bewildered, "Hello?"

"It's time for the read-through," Bree reminds me.

"I lost track of time. Where am I going?"

"Take a left, then a right, then another left, and it's the second door on the right."

"I'll be right there."

The room is full when I get there, but I find a seat next to the writers. Alec, Chelsea, and the actors—both contracted and extra—are around the tables with a script open.

"Okay, we can get started now. For those of you who haven't met Dr. Edward Cullen, he's our new medical advisor. He, along with Jane and Tanya, will make us look competent and accurate. He's here to correct the mistakes that might be on the script in front of you. So there will be constant interruptions this time. Bree, can you hand him his copy, please?"

She scurries over with a stack of stapled papers, and I start to follow along. The actors read off all their own dialogue while Alec or Chelsea read the off-stage directions. I interrupt a few times, but I know I'm going to have to be on set to watch this play out. I can only get so much interpretation off a script. Another hour, and we're done. Bella is deep in conversation with Jake, so I head back to my office, hell-bent on finishing at least one script to send back before the end of day today.

Two hours later, and I'm rubbing my eyes and shaking my head to clear out the cobwebs. This show is well-run, and I think with my suggestions, it could be an even bigger success. I feel a sense of pride and am confident in my decision to do this.

A knock sounds. "Come in." I look up expecting Bree but instead am met with a better sight. "Bella. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

She sweeps in with a few bags in her hands, and she places them on an empty chair. "I come bearing gifts." She grabs a tupperware dish and opens it. "Brownies?" she asks.

I grab two. I love her brownies.

"Here's some milk to wash them down." She hands me a pint of whole milk. Then she starts unpacking what looks like decorative items.

"It's drab until you make it your own," she explains as she places this vase here and that trinket there. She grabs a couple picture frames. "Now, I may be overstepping, and if I am, let me know. But I've held on to these for a while, and I made you some copies." She hands me the frames.

In one, it's me and my parents on my graduation day. In the other, it's Bella and me the day we parted ways. My fingers trace our younger faces. We'd been crying but were all smiles for the camera. "Who took this?"

"Charlie."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. I have to get back to set, but I did order you a small fridge and a microwave. That way you can bring your lunch without having to always hit up the cafeteria. Remember, chili day is a no."

"I can afford those items, especially now," I tease.

"Consider it an office-warming gift."

"Where's your office?"

"I don't have one. I have one of the trailers on the lot. We do a lot of all-nighters, and it's more comfortable than your couch. You should come see it sometime, so you can be jealous."

"Jealous of you doing all-nighters when I don't have to do those anymore. Hmmm, very unlikely, Swan."

"Haha. Okay, I do have to go, but…I'm really glad you're here. I'm looking forward to catching up fully with you. It's been too long. Anyway…see ya later."

I look at the door long after she's gone, trying to decipher what I'm feeling. But none of it is leading me anywhere safe, so I shut down my computer, gather my things, and head toward Alec's office. I drop off the script to him.

"Good work today, Edward. I can see you'll be a valuable asset to us."

"Thanks. See you tomorrow."

I drive home, calling Jess but getting no answer. I was going to stop for take out but figure if we don't want to cook, we'll order in.

She's stirring something on the stove when I come in. "Hey," I say as I come up behind her and peer over her shoulder. "Smells good."

"Me or the food?" She giggles.

"Both."

"It's just some soup, and I have some sandwiches baking in the oven. Simple meal for a hopefully good day?"

I breathe in the scent of her shampoo and hum. "Yeah, it was really good. Productive."

She turns around in my arms and squeezes me. "That's so great. I want you to be happy. I know I pushed you to take this job, but if you're not happy, you can go back to the hospital."

"No, I'm happy you pushed. I think this is going to be good."

"Go wash up. Supper will be ready in five."

I let her go and wash my hands. I decide to change into more comfortable clothes and join Jess at the table. I don't eat much, and she notices.

"I ate pizza and brownies today."

She raises an eyebrow. "Well, at least, we can hire a trainer for you if you get that gut back."

She's referring to the Freshman Fifty I packed on in college. I was in a town where I knew no one, and no one knew me, and I had just broken up with the love of my…let's just say I was depressed.

"I'll be more careful. I have a fridge and a microwave coming in a couple days, so I can stay out of the cafeteria."

She gives me a pleased smile and continues eating. We watch a little TV, and then Lauren calls Jess, and I go to bed. I fall asleep waiting on her, and she's gone to meet an early client when I wake up.

We live in the same house, but sometimes, it feels like we're ships passing in the night. I'm hoping the new job will help with that some. I need to work on our marriage.

So why do I stop to get coffee for a certain brunette on my way into work?

But ever since you said goodbye

I've been out here on the wind

And baby you would be surprised

All the places you have been

~ "Everywhere", Tim McGraw

See you next Wednesday.