Chapter 2: Remember Me

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of it's characters, that's all Stephenie Myer's department!

A/N: Hello my lovely readers! Thank you so much for the reviews/Follows and favorites! I hope you all are doing well, and staying warm out there. I'm spoiled because I live in California...yeah yeah I know...we don't have real seasons, but even here it's cold!. Enjoy this new chapter with some hot coco.

"If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again."-Author unknown

As the door creaked open, a pulse of anticipation caused me to hold my breath involuntarily, and in strode Dr. Cullen. My throat tightened around a hard swallow, my heart fluttering like a trapped bird. I didn't think it was possible for him to look even more gorgeous than the night I met him. In an Armani suit, he was the epitome of elegance, but clad in his doctor's whites, he was nothing short of captivating.

His eyes narrowed for a moment before he cleared his throat, his gaze scanning me from head to toe. The difference between my disheveled and grubby clothes and his pristine doctor's attire was impossible to ignore. Did he recognize me, I wondered as our gazes locked. He tipped his head to the side and smiled at me.

"Hello, Miss Swan," he greeted. "I'm Dr. Cullen. I understand you've been feeling unwell, which I'm sorry to hear. Though I have reviewed the notes from the nurse, I would prefer to hear directly from you about your symptoms." He slid a chair away from the desk, seated himself, and clicked his pen, ready to take notes.

He then delicately retrieved a pair of glasses from the depths of his pristine white doctor's coat and placed them upon his captivating face. Oh, divine heavens! In that very moment, his allure intensified, transforming him into an embodiment of sheer seduction. The glasses, perched upon his nose, only enhanced his irresistible charm, making him exude an aura of undeniable sexiness.

His silver eyes met mine, and beneath the veneer of his professionalism, a playful glint of mischief sparked, dancing temptingly within their depths. I glanced nervously around the room, a sense of unease washing over me. Were we really going to ignore the elephant in the room? As I chose to stay silent, Dr. Cullen's eyebrow rose inquisitively.

"Miss Swan?"

I shook my head, the weight of my denial as heavy as the fatigue pressing down on my chest. "I—I've been troubled by this persistent cough," I said, my voice barely rising above a whisper.

He peered at me over his glasses. "Yes, I noted that from your records. Is there anything else you have experienced that you can share with me?"

I found myself involuntarily retreating from his inquiring eyes, my own staring off to some unseen comfort in the corner of the room. "Just... aches here and there," I murmured, the admission feeling like a concession to weakness.

"Ok. And what of dizziness? Any soreness in your throat?" he inquired, with a tilt of his head.

A sigh escaped me, mingled with reluctance. "Some dizziness, yes. It's like my energy's been sapped away. Most days I feel like I'm wading through sludge," I confessed, the words more to myself than to him.

He nodded thoughtfully as he transcribed my conditions into his medical shorthand, etching my words onto the page. "You're also running a high fever," he observed under his breath, more to himself than as a question to me. "Alright." With the efficiency of routine, he rose from his seat, his hands slipping seamlessly into the sterile confines of white gloves. He reached for a menacingly long swab. "I'm going to take a swab from the inside of your mouth and another from your nose for testing. It will take about twenty minutes, which will allow us to understand what we're facing."

He gently placed his hand under my chin, lifting it slightly. "Say 'ahh,'" he instructed. I complied. "Very good," he murmured. He reached for another swab. "Now, tilt your head back.. This might feel slightly uncomfortable, but it'll be over quickly." As he twisted the swab in my nose, my eyes welled up with tears. "Good girl," he whispered soothingly once he finished.

Good girl?

With a furrowed brow, I shot a glare in his direction, questioning the label hanging in the air between us. In response, he gifted me with a sly, amused grin, his lips curving devilishly upward as his eyes danced with an unspoken challenge.

"Alright, Miss Swan," the doctor said, "I need to conduct a routine physical examination. It seems the nurse has already recorded your weight and blood pressure, so I'll proceed to check your lungs and heart rate." He moved quickly, taking his stethoscope from around his neck and walking toward me.

"Do we have to do that? I'm obviously sick. I just need some cough medicine."

He offered me a reassuring smile. "I understand you're feeling unwell, Miss Swan. However, according to your records, you haven't had a physical or wellness check in quite a while. So yes, it's necessary. I make it a point to be thorough with all my patients."

"Isn't there any way to skip it? I promise I won't tell anyone."

He sighed. "Miss Swan, I do not compromise when it comes to providing the best possible care. If you prefer not to have the exam, you are free to leave. But I will not cut corners with your health. We do this my way, or no way. Do you understand?"

Why was he speaking to me as if I were a child? And how old was he, anyway?

"Yes," I answered curtly.

"Good. Shall we begin?" I gave a terse nod.

Standing beside me, his presence was accompanied by the captivating scent of his masculine cologne. Memories of our passionate night together flooded my mind, causing my heart to race.

His eyes locked onto my rigid posture. "Relax," he gently instructed, urging me to uncross my legs and place my hands by my side. Following his guidance, I complied, yet my heart continued to race with anticipation.

As he opened the back of my gown slowly. The touch of the cold stethoscope against my bare skin only heightened my nervousness. With one smooth motion, I felt his warm hand brush against my bare skin as he swept my wavy brown hair to the side. I was certain that my heart sounded like a wild, erratic drumbeat.

To alleviate my anxiety, he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and whispered, "Relax." His voice was soothing as he suggested, "Let's take a few deep breaths together, okay? Inhale for five, exhale for five, and repeat." Following his lead, I took a deep breath, feeling his minty breath mingle with mine.

"Inhale, exhale," he continued, his soothing voice guiding me through each breath. With each cycle, my racing heart began to steady. "Good," he said authoritatively. A shiver ran down my spine as his deep voice echoed in my ear, his warm breath tickling the tender part of my neck. The very place where his lips had been a few weeks ago.

With expert precision, his hands skillfully maneuvered the stethoscope across my back, attentively attuned to the rhythm of my heart. The chill of the metal against my skin sent delightful shivers down my spine, a stark contrast to the warmth of his touch.

"Your heart and lungs sound good," he affirmed, his smile radiating warmth, he meticulously returned the stethoscope to its rightful place around his neck.

He casually turned toward the medical cabinets, my eyes were glued to his every move. My eyes landed on a tube labeled "Jelly," and my mind raced with questions. What on earth was he planning to do with that? I felt a sudden urge to close my legs tightly. Dr. Cullen abruptly stopped.

"Miss Swan, this is just a routine examination," he explained. "Given your age, a pap smear, pelvic and breast exam are standard procedures for your wellness check."

"I didn't say anything," I whispered, barely audible.

His lips twitched slightly, revealing his skepticism. "No, but you seem uncomfortable. I won't do anything unless you are alright with it."

"Okay. Well, I don't want you down there."

He nodded. "I understand. If that is your wish, I won't go any further. But I cannot approve any prescriptions unless I conduct a complete examination."

I sighed. "You know what's pissing me off? Are you just going to ignore what happened between us?"

He tilted his head to the side and removed his glasses. "What do you mean?"

I scoffed. "Oh, come on. You know exactly what I'm talking about... Don't play the role of a perfect doctor when I know the reality of who you are."

He smirked. "If you are alluding to my personal life, Miss Swan, that has no relevance here. I am not obliged to offer any explanations, nor must I justify my actions. Our discussions should focus solely on you and your health. Anything beyond that would be a breach of ethics."

"Don't hide behind medical jargon. Tell me, does anyone know you pay for sex?" His demeanor suddenly turned serious as he straightened up.

"Miss Swan… I'm not judging your character. You should refrain from judging mine."

"I'm not judging you, just wondering if anyone knows the truth about you."

"Whatever I did, it was entirely consensual. I showed my gratitude afterward."

"You paid for sex," I said plainly.

His eyes narrowed. "We are not having this conversation, Miss Swan."

"You talk about ethics, but I'm certain such behavior is against the law. And I'm pretty sure it could cost you your license."

"Are you threatening me?"

"I just want you to acknowledge me. To stop pretending you don't know me, as if what we did never happened."

"In my mind, it doesn't exist anymore. It happened. It's over." He leaned forward, his voice low and firm. "And if you believe I'll let you threaten my career, you're sorely mistaken. We both had our desires that night, and we each got what we were looking for. Admit that you were the one who wanted it just as much. Stop trying to paint yourself as innocent."

"I'm not claiming I'm innocent. And this isn't a threat to your career," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "I just don't understand why you refuse to acknowledge—"

"Miss Swan," he interrupted, his tone final. "It happened, and it will not happen again. From this point forward, our relationship will remain strictly professional. I am your doctor; you are my patient. That is all there should be between us."

I shook my head. If he wanted to push what we did away, there was no point in trying to stop him. Afterall, he was right. We both got what we wanted that night. It was something we did together, and I didn't have any room to judge him.

I nodded in silent acquiescence. "Fine."

"Good. Please lay back."

As I hesitantly leaned back on the chilly, delicate white paper, a shiver ran down my spine. Edward settled himself on a creaky stool and inched closer. Suddenly, he produced a pair of stirrups with a loud noise, intensifying the shiver.

"This might feel a bit awkward, as it is for most people," he began casually, "but could you please put your feet up and scoot to the edge of the bed?"

Dr. Cullen got up and headed toward the door before I could even get into position. "We're all set," I heard him say, to someone on the other side, his voice exuding a sense of professionalism.

I felt so relieved when the nurse I had seen earlier walked into the room. Finally, someone else was here with me, I thought, grateful for the company of another woman. Dr. Cullen introduced her as Nurse Lisa and assured me that she would be there for the whole examination. I nodded, thankful that I wouldn't be alone in this vulnerable moment.

"Alright, lean back and put your feet up. This will be quick," he instructed. I hesitated for a moment, but then followed his instructions, leaning back and placing my feet in the stirrups. He was right. The sooner this was over the sooner I could leave and never see him again.

I hadn't anticipated that he would fall in love with me or anything, however, I did expect him to recognize what had transpired between us. I guess, ultimately, he acknowledged it, but his indifference was like a slap in the face. It was as if he regretted our encounter—as though it hadn't been a pleasant experience for him. Not that his opinion mattered to me—I had received my payment. Yet, despite the financial gain, I couldn't shake off a stinging sense of hurt. Why was his reaction affecting me so?

"You might feel a little pressure," his calm and steady voice interrupted my thoughts.

I took a deep breath and felt something foreign being inserted inside me. It was a strange sensation, and I couldn't help but whimper involuntarily. He quickly and gently took a swab using a small brush, carefully collecting a sample size.

"Good," he said, satisfied with the procedure. He handed the swab to the nurse and instructed her to send it for testing.

Next, he took some jelly-like substance and applied it onto his gloved fingers. "A little more pressure," he advised, as he slowly and delicately inserted two lubricated gloved fingers into my vaginal area.

I immediately arched my back and rolled my lips together.

"Shhh," he said as his other hand gently pressed against the outside of my lower abdomen. I couldn't help but let out a moan. I wasn't normally that tender, but maybe my body was still recuperating. But I would think after a few weeks…

Sensing my discomfort, he eased the pressure by pulling back slightly. "Are you alight, Miss Swan?" I nodded and he continued to slide in fingers in and out of me. "Just relax, please." He seemed like he was trying to be reassuring, but I felt like he was a bit exasperated with me. When he went deeper, I clinched around his fingers involuntarily, a small spasm of pleasure running through my body.

Shit. Did he notice? Oh god…My face reddened.

He cleared his throat and slipped his fingers out of me. Dr. Cullen addressed nurse Lisa with a single word, "Speculum." She promptly handed him the requested instrument, and with professional care, he began to gently insert it. "Almost done," he reassured.

As soon as the examination was complete, Dr. Cullen carefully removed the speculum and walked over to the sink. There, he peeled off his gloves and began to wash his hands thoroughly. A fit of coughing suddenly took hold of me, each sound grating and harsh to my own ears

"You can sit up now, Miss Swan," he said, signaling the end of the procedure. I pushed myself up into a sitting position but struggled to suppress another bout of coughing. It had taken hold and proved difficult to quiet. "We are done here. Take this for testing," he said as he handed a small bag to Lisa.

"Of course," she replied, her smile warming the moment as she departed.

My gaze followed Dr. Cullen as he settled his glasses onto his nose and began scribbling notes in my medical record. "Alright, Miss Swan, we'll just have to wait for the test results to determine the exact nature of the flu or virus affecting you. It shouldn't take very long."

A wave of dizziness washed over me, and my eyelids grew heavy. I coughed again, a few spasmodic bursts. Dr. Cullen looked at me, his eyes reflecting a hint of pity. "I'll return to go over your results as soon as they're ready. Are you okay to wait here for now?" His voice seemed to come from far away as I gave a feeble nod.

A sense of euphoria enveloped me out of the blue, and I doubted my ability to stand, even if I tried. The last sound that registered in my fading consciousness was the soft click of the door closing behind him.

Exhausted, I reclined on the crinkling paper of the examination table and draped my hand over my eyes to shield them from the harsh light. My body was overwhelmed by the feeling of malaise. Time seemed to blur until the sound of the door creaking open jolted me back to awareness—it was nurse Lisa this time.

"Hello, Miss Swan. I'm just checking in on you. We should have your test results any moment now," she said gently.

A weak "Oh, okay" was all I could muster in response.

"Are you cold, Miss Swan?" she inquired, a hint of concern in her voice.

I only responded with a confused "Huh?" as I realized I was shivering.

"You're shaking. Would you like a blanket?" she offered. Shaking my head in refusal instantly triggered a wave of nausea, and I let out a groan of discomfort. The fever took hold of me, leaving me simultaneously chilled and feverish. The next voice that broke through the fog was his, calling my name. It sounded distant, as if through a tunnel.

Then I felt the firm yet gentle lift of my body being cradled against his chest. It had to be him—the familiar solidity of his frame, the distinctive spicy scent that enveloped me. I knew it was his arms that I was in.

He laid me gently onto something soft, and warmth enveloped me as a blanket was draped over me. A faint pinch in my arm barely registered as my senses dulled further. Murmured voices swirled around me, indecipherable as I drifted further away from consciousness.

I was racked with coughs, each one sending an intense burning sensation through my chest. At some point, Dr. Cullen had managed to prop me up and coaxed me into taking some cough syrup.

When I opened my eyes slightly, I looked around my new surroundings. Had I been that out of it? "W-where am I? Did my tests come through?" I managed to ask, my voice weak and trembling.

"Miss Swan," Dr. Cullen replied, his tone both clear and soothing. "We have received your test results. You've been diagnosed with influenza A. Normally we prescribe a seven-day prescription to help with the symptoms, but given your condition, I've made the decision to keep you here for observation overnight."

Barely able to open my eyes, I processed his words. Was he actually suggesting an overnight stay? The cost of a hospital bill sent waves of panic through me. A check-up might be covered through charity, but an overnight stay in the hospital certainly was not. I shook my head, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I can't—I can't afford that."

"Please, lay back down," Dr. Cullen insisted, pressing a cool cloth to my forehead. The relief was immediate and blissful. "I cannot, in good conscience, allow you to leave in the state you're in."

"All I need is some cough medicine," I protested weakly.

"If you leave now, I'm afraid you won't survive the night. You can't be out in the cold air. The best thing for you right now is to rest." Exhausted beyond belief, I resigned myself to the reality that I could no longer muster the strength to even keep my eyes open. It was perhaps this overwhelming fatigue that led me to utter the next preposterous statement.

"Are you going to leave me?" I asked.

His silver gaze locked onto me, and his expression became an indecipherable mask. The words that had tumbled from my mouth now hung in the charged silence between us—an emblem of folly. He had already drawn a clear line in the sand, defining our relationship with cold precision: it should be nothing but professional. To plead for him to stay was to cross the boundaries, a reckless blurring of the lines he so meticulously set.

As soon as the words escaped, I chastised myself internally. I instantly regretted asking, as the vulnerability of expressing my desire for him to stay made me feel foolish. "I-I don't know why I said that. I'm sorry. I'm just not thinking clearly. Of course, you've got other things to do... I-it was dumb to ask. Please, just forget I ever said anything."

Though I berated myself, the reassuring warmth of his hand gently brushing my cheek halted my spiraling thoughts. With a faint smirk that couldn't disguise his concern, he responded, "Not a chance I'll forget that, Miss Swan. And no, I'm not going anywhere. "I will be here to monitor your condition throughout the night. We need to work on reducing your fever. You can assist by resting."

I gave a small laugh. "You can't possibly stay the whole night. It was foolish of me to even suggest it. I'm— I'm not thinking straight."

"Staying up all night," he said with a half-smile that didn't quite touch his tired eyes, "comes with my territory." His gaze drifted away for a moment, lost in thoughts that no doubt haunted the quiet spaces of the darker hours. "Especially when there's a good reason to." He turned his head, his look softening as he looked me over. "You, though—get some sleep."

I wanted to thank him, but he left too quickly.

As I drifted into sleep, I found an odd comfort in the knowledge that he would be nearby. There was an inexplicable sense of trust towards him, despite the absence of a logical reason for it. Even as sleep pulled me in and out of consciousness, his presence comforted me. As long as he was close by, I believed everything would be alright. It seemed foolish to feel so secure because of him, yet I couldn't help it...

Sometime during the night, in the soft glow that filled the room, I sensed the cool touch of a cloth being gently placed on my forehead, as blankets were pulled up around me for warmth.

In the quiet, I heard him speak, laced with a hint of despair, "I won't' lose you too."

Too? What did that mean?

I would LOVE to get some more reviews for this story. If you have a moment, drop a comment, follow or favorite. Got questions? Ask. Theories? Share. Thanks guys. I'll see you on the next chapter.

I'm kinda going back and forth between this one and Lord of Crimson. :) If you like SCI-FI...take a look at Lord of Crimson! Enzuk is coming to Earth to steal your heart! Who is Enzuk? It's the sexy, seductive Edward but from an alternate universe!

Xoxo.