Emmett

He was so pissed. He didn't know who to be more pissed at though. Himself? Edward? Bella? It wasn't Rosalie's fault she was so damn desirable, and he knew it was wrong to continue the flirtation, but after all, who were they really hurting? Bella wanted Edward. Jasper and Alice were happy together. Rosalie was more than eager to engage with him, so after all the tension, he didn't mind their easy interaction. In fact, it was a relief being around her instead of dealing with the idea that his own wife had the hots for another man—the man who was married to the woman he desired, no less. And Emmett should have been grateful that Edward wasn't going out of his way to hug or kiss Rosalie because that just showed Emmett that things were not that way with them. What would have happened if he'd met Rosalie in a bar? Or on a call? Or anyplace outside this show? Would they have hit it off? Or would they have had a one night stand? He couldn't tell at this point. He simply hadn't had enough time to get to know her, but he'd really wanted to.

He had his feet in the pool and was taking breaths when the producer found him.

Goddammit.

"Emmett? Can we have a word?"

She had the camera man behind her. Dammit. An interview? So they'd heard. Did they know about the cake? About Edward and Bella?

"A little tense in the house?"

Emmett held up his hand. "I just need a bit. Can you please just give me a few minutes?"

"Perhaps we can help. We heard some shouting between you and Bella…maybe Pastor Ray could be of some assistance. We can get him on the line."

"Please don't."

"Okay…maybe we can see if Bella needs some support."

"Suit yourself."

"I'm here," Bella said, and Emmett saw the regret on her face. The glassiness in her eyes was gone and her lips curved in a slight frown. "I just came to talk to Emmett."

The producer backed off, and a flood light came on, illuminating the pool area. She gave the heads up, and she handed them some mikes.

Showtime.

"Emmett…I'm sorry. I overreacted."

Overreacted? Did the producer know where that came from?

"You were right. I drank too much, and I just needed to settle down and go to bed. I didn't mean to pick a fight with you. I believe it was innocent between you two."

Innocent? Ohhh…she was trying to cover for him. He hoped that she was fooling them because he didn't like to think that any of Rosalie's and Emmett's exchange was actually viewable.

"I'm sorry, too, Bella. You really do mean a lot to me."

"You mean a lot to me, too."

Of course, Emmett knew they were friends more than anything, but he hoped the producer believed otherwise.

He patted the section beside Bella and she joined him, dipping her feet in the water. "You're a good person, Emmett. You've taught me a lot about myself. I'm grateful."

"Right back at ya."

They looked at each other for a moment, and she set her head on his shoulder. They didn't speak after that, and after a few more minutes, the producer made the motion to cut. They left and then Emmett and Bella headed back up to their room.

He realized just then that he'd been letting his hormones get the best of him. Bella was a good person, and she seemed to care about him. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her, as she faced away from him, she drifted off to sleep. She slept soundly, and he considered, or hoped they'd dodged the bullet—the one that revealed either as adulterers. But, he also didn't kid himself. She was probably dreaming about Edward.

Bella

Alice's warning about not going on the hike was not anything unexpected. She'd had a vision. Now, Bella wondered how much to believe. Sometimes, she even wondered if her friend was just saying she'd had a vision but really was just trying to get her to follow along. Had she really had a "vision" about Edward? Was it true she was here to find her person? Maybe it had resonated for her, but still, Bella found herself with doubt.

But, as soon as she misstepped going up that narrow curve, she flinched as her ankle met the thorn of a cactus and twisted it, landing herself on hands and knees. Now, after not heeding her friend's warning, her knee was scraped, blood was trickling down, and her ankle was swelling as Edward said. Edward…the doctor…maybe he could take care of her…until Emmett, the hero, stepped in.

Jesus, Bella. Emmett, the husband, stepped in.

This was how she found herself, squinting at the pain as Emmett carried her down the trail back to the mansion. They had called in a set medic, and she was transported to a nearby clinic for x-rays, and fortunately, it was only a sprain that she should stay off of. They'd given her pills for the pain, and now over an hour later, she sat on the couch, right leg propped up, her left knee bandaged, with a bag of ice resting on it.

"You okay, Bella?"

"I'm okay, Emmett. Thank you. And you don't have to keep fussing over me. Go…"

She wanted to say catch up with everyone else, and she hated ruining his hike. But, now she wondered if he wasn't just hanging around her to save face—so as to not have that opportunity with Rosalie. "Hang out in the pool or something. You don't have to babysit me." Everyone else would be back soon, they'd have lunch, and then part ways.

"I'm just going to hang around here, if you don't mind."

They heard some commotion outside and voices, and Emmett rushed over to the French doors.

"What's going on?" Bella asked.

"Jasper is on a stretcher…They're taking him to an ambulance."

Bella sat up, "Oh my god!" She tried to get up.

"You stay. I'll see what's going on."

Jasper on a stretcher?! Bella with a sprained ankle? Where was Alice? Oh no. Hadn't Alice foreseen this? Though, she also knew Alice hadn't been able to predict every disaster…only things that could be prevented, she guessed. Other things she imagined were things they were meant to go through whether they liked it or not. For their own good.

Bella leaned up on her hands and even tried to stand to get a better view through the window, but as soon as she put weight on her ankle, the sting forced her back onto the couch.

Emmett came back inside, shaking his head. "Looks like Jasper didn't hydrate. It happens. The rise in the elevation…plus Alice said he only ate a banana for breakfast…the sun…lack of water…dehydration. They're taking him to run some tests though, just in case.

"Oh no. And where's Alice?"

"She's going too."

Bella just knew that her friend was kicking herself. She was probably giving her spirit guides an earful too.

A couple minutes later, Edward and Rosalie walked in. His smile turned to a frown as he approached Bella. "How is your ankle?"

"Sprained."

"So, 4-6 weeks to recover, yes?"

Bella nodded. She was going to have to just deal with it and hobble around on crutches and elevate her foot as often as possible for now. Sadly, this was nothing new for her. The difference was that she and her things were in Tennessee, and they had a decision to make. In her heart, she knew she wasn't going to stay married to Emmett, and she was fairly sure Emmett felt the same.

"Let me know if there's anything I can do," Edward said.

"I've got this," Emmett told him, "but thank you."

Bella smiled at Edward. She wished she could just spend a little more time with him, but Emmett had decided to play protective. After the cake incident. She glanced over to Rosalie and then to Emmett, and it seemed they were looking everywhere but at each other.

"Anybody hungry?" Rosalie asked.

"Starving," Emmett said, "and you, Bella?"

She nodded.

"Well, I'm gonna shower first, and then see what we've got for lunch," Rosalie said.

"A shower sounds good," Emmett said, but then he backtracked as Bella frowned. "Not together…of course…"

Rosalie giggled. "Of course not together."

The cameraman was there, of course, capturing this all on film, and Bella kept her thoughts to herself.

The blonde rushed away from them, looked to be running from the room, the situation, and Edward announced he was going to see what was for lunch.

One foot up on the coffee table, Bella remained there, the blue sky gorgeous from the window…and now stuck…she heard their voices in the kitchen but couldn't quite make out what they were saying. Though, she was grateful the cameraman left her alone and followed them.

"Yeah. She'll be fine. I told you I can take care of her."

She heard what sounded like Edward's voice but couldn't make out the words.

Emmett popped his head back out to where she was seated. "Are you okay?"

She met his eyes, and Edward was peeking behind him. "I'm okay."

"See? How about you…tend to your own wife?"

Edward's face froze. His brow shot up, and his tone was like ice when he spoke. "Great idea, Emmett. And, I'm sure if you get hungry, you can feed yourself."

Uh oh.

"Look. That was nothing."

"It didn't look like it."

Oh crap, Bella thought. Was the cameraman still filming? Wasn't this a secret they all meant to keep?

Emmett threw up his hands, then went and stood beside Bella. Edward followed him, his fists clenched. This time, Edward looked like he was not going to back down from this fight. "You…" he said and his gaze bounced back from Bella to Edward and then back to Bella

Please, Emmett! Her eyes screamed. Don't bring us into this!

"I don't care. Do whatever you want!"

He stormed off, slamming the door behind him, and the cameraman followed. Edward took a seat beside her, and Bella sat up uncomfortably. "The drama never ends."

Seems as soon as she said that, the cameraman was back. Edward looked at her. "How is your pain level?"

"About a 4. It still aches."

He asked her questions that were safe—like what they had given her, and how long ago, and if she'd taken anything on an empty stomach. Edward was in doctor mode, and as far as the camera was concerned, it was proper. Bella couldn't wait until this was all over. But what then? How were things with him and Rosalie? Bella had heard all about Rosalie moving out of her place because she no longer had her inheritance, so she lived with Edward. If they divorced, how long would that last? Would she be able to find her own place?

Jim, the cameraman, left them behind when the producer approached, and whispered something to him about doing another interview.

Please! Not with me, she thought or with Edward. But maybe her prayer had been answered and unfortunately for Emmett, Jim and the producer were in pursuit. Unless Rosalie made it back down there first. Apparently Edward's remark about feeding himself had sparked some interest—oh boy. Now what?

Edward went back to the kitchen. Their mikes were all on, and he kept his distance from her. Bella wished more than anything she could just freely talk to him. It was so frustrating to be so close, but yet so far.

Rosalie had come back down, her hair pulled into a messy bun and smiled at her. She wondered if Rosalie knew anything. Edward wouldn't have told her, would he? Did it even matter?

"How are you, Bella?"

"I've been better."

"Well, if you need anything…just let us know…"

She sounded very sweet, and that reminded Bella…about the cake incident. She must've known that Emmett told Bella, didn't she?

At that moment, the producer and Jim reappeared. "Rosalie? Can we have a word?"

So, now they were going after Rosalie.

"So, Emmett's kind of flirty, huh?" Bella said, and the producer and Jim pointed the camera at Bella.

Rosalie's eyes opened wide. "Uh…yeah…a bit."

Bella waved her hand. "We were all drinking, and he's like that with everybody. He hasn't quite got it in his head that he's married. I'm sure it's hard after being a bachelor for so long."

"Oh God, Bella. It was innocent."

She knew it wasn't. But, she didn't want Emmett to take the fall. Nobody here was innocent. "I'm not worried about it, Rosalie."

"You aren't?"

"Nope. He's just a little impulsive, that's all, but his heart is in the right place. He's been so good to me. Besides, it was just cake."

"Yeah, he just had a crumb on his lip…and I…should've just kept my hand to myself."

"Okay…maybe…but it's really not a big deal to me. What's most important is where we go from here, right?"

"I haven't wanted to think about that so much…"

"Yeah, you've been through a lot, I heard."

"Edward's just been so wonderful. Amazing, and I've just been the luckiest…"

"Emmett's a pretty amazing guy too. He carried me all the way back here! Didn't even flinch."

Rosalie had no reply but just smiled.

"Our husbands are both pretty special."

Rosalie nodded. "You are so right. I think you're pretty special, too. Not everyone would react so calmly like you, Bella."

"It's been a learning experience, hasn't it?" Bella said, quoting Edward's words back. "What are you planning when this is over?"

Rosalie shrugged. "I'm going to keep making videos for as long as people want to see them. It means so much because it makes me feel I can do something to help other women."

"Fixing cars? I'd say that was pretty amazing. Edward should be so proud of you."

"I wouldn't be doing it if not for him, like I said. What about you?"

"I don't know. I'll probably have to see if I can keep my job but work in Knoxville…"

While she healed up at least. Emmett had insisted on it.

"Oh, I see…"

"Yeah…then I guess we'll all see each other again on the after show."

"Right. We get to watch it together when they air it."

Bella laughed. "Scary thought."

Rosalie laughed too. "Very scary."

Edward peeked in. "Hey, Rosalie, can I get some help in the kitchen?"

"Sure thing! I'm so glad we had a chance to talk, Bella. I hope we can keep in touch."

Bella smiled, doubting that would happen. "Me too."

A/N: Decision day is coming! Edward and Rosalie's first. Thanks to you all for reading, and of course to the reviewers—it means so much! The alerts are wonky, so please check back here for more. :)