Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Thanks as always to my wonderful betas Aecarlso and Tiffanyanne3 who always make these chapters better. Love you ladies! Thanks also for the wonderful reviews. I really enjoy hearing your thoughts on the story – and your theories about what's going to happen. It makes me smile! There's a thread on Twilighted (link on my profile) if you'd like to chat about Beyond Time – I love to hear what you think!

Oh and be sure and check out my profile for pictures of some of the places and things mentioned in Beyond Time... if you're interested in that kind of thing...

"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world."

- Buddha

Chapter 10 – Of Raspberry Jam and Rivalry

"Bella, you have a telephone call!" Maggie called to me from inside the house. Sunday morning dawned clear and sunny, so Maggie got the urge to plant some pansies in the backyard garden. I was helping her when the phone summoned her inside.

That's right. I could plant flowers.

I brushed the dirt off my hands and made my way to the small room off the kitchen, passing Maggie on the way.

I wondered who could be calling me, and my heart sped up at the thought it might have been Edward.

Our date the previous day had been a surprise, to say the least. Edward had been… well… really nice. He'd bitten his lip instead of arguing with me, even when I could tell he was dying to contradict my opinions.

It was unusual. And to be honest, I'd felt a slight twinge of disappointment.

I was a little ashamed to admit that I kind of liked our fights. Maybe it was because those moments gave me an insight into the uncontrolled Edward I was only beginning to know… the rash, impulsive, passionate side to his personality.

The side that kissed me like he wanted to devour me.

The side that made my knees melt and my body catch fire.

But the new, pleasant Edward was nice too. I actually enjoyed getting to know him all over again. Talking about regular, normal things and just having… fun, for a change, was refreshing. No life-threatening chases. No angsty drama.

It was strange. At times I felt almost like I was cheating on Edward… with Edward. In so many ways he was the same: his appearance, obviously… the way he talked, his insightfulness, his mannerisms... that panty-dropping grin.

But in other ways he was like a completely different person. He was irrational, reckless, impulsive, stubborn, playful… in other words, he was sixteen.

It was like I was in love with two different men… who were actually the same man.

Understandably, I spent a lot of time confused.

Which was why I made that little slip of the tongue - a slip Edward was quick to jump on. I'd accidentally called him Mr. Cullen.

"Mr. Cullen?" he'd repeated, his brow furrowed in confusion as he stood up, his hands full of roller skates. "Who's Mr. Cullen?"

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I scrambled for an answer that wouldn't be completely lame or unbelievable. I decided to stall. Stalling was good.

"What?" I asked, going for a confused look of my own. Maybe he'd just let it go.

No such luck.

"You called me Mr. Cullen," Edward pointed out.

"Did I?" I rose and walked toward the door. See, I was really good at this stalling thing.

"My last name is Masen." Geez. He wasn't going to let this go.

"I know your last name, Edward." I laughed, trying to make light of it. Then I decided if I tried to look embarrassed, he might take pity on me. I looked down contritely. "I'm really sorry. It was just a slip of the tongue… I didn't even realize that I had said it," I explained pitifully. "I'm really embarrassed about it," I added, lifting a hand as if to brush a tear from my cheek. I hoped I wasn't overdoing it.

The gentleman bred into Edward kicked in at that moment. "Bella, it's all right," he bent his knees and used his finger to tip my head up so he could look comfortingly into my eyes. "It was just a silly mistake. Don't be upset."

I swallowed my victorious grin and just nodded appreciatively. "Thank you." He took my hand in his and we left the skating rink to go get the promised ice cream. I felt bad for manipulating him, but I really didn't see an alternative. I mean, I didn't think telling him he had a different name when I met him in the future was a viable option.

Our afternoon had ended as most first dates did – with an awkward moment at the front door. Edward jammed his hands into his pockets, his eyes focused on the toes of his slightly scuffed shoes.

"Well… um… thank you for the pleasure of your company this afternoon, Bella," he said formally, the tips of his ears pink. "I enjoyed it a great deal." His gaze flashed to mine briefly and a small smile lit his face.

My heart melted. "I did too, Edward," I responded quietly. "I had a really good time, thank you."

His smile widened. "You did?" At my nod, he added, "Good. Me too."

Yeah, you already said that, I thought to myself with an internal laugh.

God. He was adorable.

"So… uh… I should be going," he said nervously, shoving a hand through his hair. "Would it be all right if I… um… telephoned this week… sometime?"

I smiled. "Sure. That would be nice."

"Good." He nodded, taking a tentative step toward me. "Good."

I waited. My breathing quickened as his eyes flicked to my lips once. He took a deep breath and moved toward me…

…and kissed me softly on the cheek.

What the hell?

He stepped back quickly, flushing red. I had to admit it was nice not to be the only one blushing for a change.

"So… I'll… see you soon, Bella," he stammered, turning to head down the steps. "Thanks again."

I finally found my voice. "Bye Edward," I called, waving as he got into his car and drove away.

Shaking my head to clear it of the previous day's memories, I picked up the telephone, pressing the earpiece tentatively to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Bella? Bella Swan?" a businesslike voice crackled over the line. A feminine voice. Decidedly not Edward.

"Yes?" I responded.

"Ah, finally," the woman continued. "I had a bear of a time tracking you down, girl. I called the hospital and finally found someone who could tell me how to reach you."

"Oh… um… I'm sorry," I said, confused. "Umm… Who is this?" I finally asked, embarrassed that I didn't recognize the voice of someone who obviously knew me.

"Good Lord above, I sound like a maniac!" the voice exclaimed. "It's Eleanor Donahue… from the suffrage meeting?"

"Oh, of course!" I exhaled in relief. "Mrs. Donahue, it's so nice to hear from you. I'm so sorry I haven't called. How are you?"

"Right as rain, dear," she replied. "I was wondering if you would like to come 'round for tea this afternoon."

More tea? Ugh! What I wouldn't give for a caramel frappuccino.

Oh, Starbucks, how I missed you.

"Tea?" I repeated. "Sure, that would be… lovely," I tried the word in an effort to sound a little more 1918-ish.

Huh. Wasn't really me.

"Wonderful!" Eleanor said cheerily. "I'll send my car… around two o'clock?"

"Sounds great," I replied. "I'll see you then.

x-x

My mouth dropped open as Eleanor Donahue's car rounded the final curve in the long driveway and her enormous home came into view. We pulled to a stop and the driver emerged, walking around the car to open the door for me. I tore my eyes from the vast, columned entry so I made sure I wouldn't trip on the wide steps leading to her covered front door.

The house - mansion, I corrected myself - was enormous. I couldn't even take it all in, only absorbing flashing images of gleaming white gingerbread trim… steep roof gables intersected by round turrets… and lots and lots of sparkling windows.

I lifted my hand to knock on the gleaming mahogany double doors, but the one on the right opened before I got the chance.

A handsome dark-haired man in a gray suit emerged, donning a black felt hat. He looked up, startled, then a wide smile split his face.

"You must be Bella," he said enthusiastically. "Eleanor told me you'd be stopping by." He extended a hand. "I'm John Stevenson."

I shook his hand, and couldn't resist returning his infectious smile. "Nice to meet you," I said. "Are you a friend of Mrs. Donahue?"

"Friend?" He chuckled, looking down for a moment. "Yes… I guess you could say that."

Ah. One of the boyfriends.

I looked him over. He was maybe thirty at the most, tall and broad-shouldered with dark hair and eyes. Two gorgeous dimples creased his cheeks when he smiled. He was, in a word, a hunk… a stud… a boytoy. Eleanor definitely knew what she was doing.

"I wish I could stay and chat," he said, "but I'm late for an appointment. Tobias here will show you in."

An older man in a dark suit – Tobias the butler, apparently - appeared in the doorway, assessing me with a sharp glance. John continued down the front steps as Tobias invited me in. I followed him through a marble-tiled entry, gaping at a huge skylight overhead and a broad sweeping staircase. He paused in front of another set of double doors, before throwing them open with a flourish.

I felt like I was visiting the Queen of England.

Or Madonna.

"Miss Swan has arrived," he announced, moving aside so I could enter a large sitting room. A massive fireplace with a stone surround took up most of the far wall, flanked on either side by glass French doors that looked out onto the sweeping back yard. Two plush, dark green sofas faced each other in front of the fireplace. Eleanor was perched on one of them and rose when I walked in.

"Bella! So good to see you," she enthused, crossing the room to kiss me on the cheek. The butler withdrew, pulling the doors closed behind him. "Come and sit down." Eleanor gestured to the velvet sofa opposite her and I sank down in the soft cushions, surreptitiously surveying my surroundings.

"You have a lovely home," I said – the understatement of the century.

"Thank you." She gestured to a silver tea service on a rolling cart beside her. "How do you take your tea?"

"Just sugar, thank you."

She poured me a cup, handing it to me as well as a small china plate. I laid a napkin across my lap as she pulled several small trays from the tea cart – one of finger sandwiches, another of tiny cakes with pink and white icing, and a third of scones, along with small silver bowls of lemon curd, raspberry jam, and clotted cream.

Yum! Maybe tea wasn't so bad after all.

I helped myself to a couple of sandwiches and a scone, spooning a little lemon curd, jam, and cream onto my plate. I was a little nervous, if I was to be honest. I wasn't really sure what I was doing there. And I didn't know the etiquette rules for afternoon tea.

I picked up my cup and saucer, about to take a drink when I froze.

Was I supposed to put my pinky up? I didn't know if I was supposed to put my pinky up. I could see my poor little pinky twitching up… down… up… down.

I looked like I was having a pinky seizure.

I snuck a look at Eleanor who took a sip of her tea, her pinky relaxed alongside all her other fingers.

I sighed in relief and took a sip from my own cup.

"Bella, are you all right?" Eleanor examined me with a concerned look on her face.

"Yes, of course. I'm fine." I smiled, my cup clattering slightly as I set it back on the saucer.

"You seem nervous," she observed.

I breathed deeply. "I am… a little…" I admitted. "All of this…" I waved widely, indicating the lavish room and the elegant tea setting. "I'm just a little bit out of my depth here, Mrs. Donahue."

Eleanor laughed. "First of all, call me Eleanor, honey." She set her cup down and reached out to squeeze my hand. "And there's no reason to be nervous. I don't stand on ceremony here. This…" She gestured to the room. "…is just a house. And this…" She indicated the table. "…is just two friends having tea, that's all. Relax, for heaven's sake."

I smiled. "Okay, I'll try." I took a bite of a sandwich with a delicious garlicky-salmon filling and groaned in appreciation.

"Good, isn't it?" Eleanor agreed, biting into her own sandwich. "My cook's specialty. I know it's excessive to employ a full-time cook for only myself, but Lord, the woman can cook. And I can't, so…" She shrugged, finishing her sandwich and wiping her lips with a linen napkin.

"So, how is everything with your young man… Edward, is it?" she asked nonchalantly.

"Edward is fine." I smirked. "How is your young man… John, is it?" I mimicked her tone.

Eleanor grinned. "Oh, you met John? He's a darling, isn't he?" she said dreamily. "So handsome… and those hands…" She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Eleanor!" I exclaimed, shocked.

She shrugged, changing the subject. "Are you planning on going to the march in Springfield?"

I had received a flyer from the Chicago Women's Association about the suffrage march in the state capitol in a couple of weeks. Although exciting to think about, I knew I couldn't afford the train fare to attend, and to be honest I didn't really want to take the time away from Edward. My deadline drew nearer with every day and I finally felt like I was starting to make some progress with him. I didn't want to back down now.

"I don't think so," I answered. "I can't really afford the trip."

"Oh, you'll have to go with me," Eleanor said excitedly. "I have my own train car, so there's no cost there… and I have a suite reserved in Springfield… far more room than I need for myself."

"No, I couldn't possibly," I protested.

"Of course you could," she argued. "It's all in place already, and I have plenty of room. I'd enjoy the company. We'd have so much fun!"

"I don't know…"

"Unless… unless there's some other reason you don't want to go," she said suspiciously.

I squirmed a little in my seat, taking a drink of tea to ease the dryness in my mouth. "Well, the truth is… it's Edward," I admitted. "We spent the day together yesterday and it was… well it was pretty wonderful, actually. We're just kind of getting to know each other and I know if I leave to go to the march he will have a problem with it. I'm just trying to avoid an argument."

Eleanor was silent for a moment, spreading jam on a scone and taking a bite. She sipped her tea thoughtfully. "Bella, let me ask you something," she began. "If Edward wasn't a consideration, would you like to attend the march?"

I thought about it. It actually was kind of an exciting idea – to participate in a real suffrage march on the capitol? How many women get to do that? Well, I mean women born after 1920, that is.

"Yes," I confessed. "I guess I would."

Eleanor nodded as though she expected my answer. "So, in other words, you are willing to give up something you want because it might upset Edward?"

I winced. When she said it like that, Edward sounded like a controlling jerk, and I sounded like such a wimp.

"Bella, if there's one thing I've learned about men, it's that there's a difference between compromise… and capitulation," she said, choosing her words carefully. "It's all well and good to want to get to know Edward, but doesn't he deserve the same thing? Don't you want him to know the real you?"

I looked into my cup, avoiding her eyes. She was right. I couldn't sacrifice who I was for Edward or our relationship was destined for failure. The fact was, even if I was able to mold myself into what he wanted in a girl, eventually my true self would emerge. There was really no keeping her down. Edward would feel tricked. He would resent me, and I would resent him as well. Even if I managed to save him, we would have no real future.

I broke off a piece of my scone as I considered this and slathered on some lemon curd and cream, popping it into my mouth.

Finally, I swallowed and grinned at Eleanor. "When do we leave?"

x-x

Edward didn't call on Sunday, but I was determined not to be the girl that sits by the phone obsessing.

Instead, I sat in the kitchen – outside the room with the phone – obsessing.

Maggie said nothing. She just went about her work, casting a smirking glance my way every now and then.

I couldn't even take my usual Monday nap in preparation for my night schedule at work. I tossed and turned on the little bed and my mind began to wander, which was not a good thing. It was strange. When I was working, or talking with Maggie, or spending time with Edward… any time my mind was kept busy, I was fine. It was when I let my thoughts drift that I got into trouble. At times like those I found myself thinking about my life in the future… present… whatever. Inevitably, those thoughts would lead me to memories of Edward – both happy and desperately painful.

I would see his sadly beautiful face… feel the chill of the forest around me… hear his cold final words to me, vibrating in a haunting rhythm:

"You're not good for me…"

Feeding my insecurity.

"It will be as if I never existed."

My greatest fear realized.

"My kind… we're very easily distracted."

Blurring my vision with jealousy.

"Goodbye, Bella. Take care of yourself."

Six words. Nine syllables that nearly broke me.

I would feel all over again the gaping hole his words… his absence… left in the middle of my chest. My heart would burn with remembered pain, regret, and raw and righteous anger.

How dare he?

How dare he use my fears and insecurities against me? How dare he decide unilaterally that he and his whole family should leave me - abandon me - in some misguided attempt to protect me?

How dare he break my heart?

At times it would eat at me, the edges of the hole pulling and tearing until I'd feel the need to lash out at Edward in the here and now. I would pace back and forth, preparing an angry tirade to unleash on his unsuspecting head the next time he was unlucky enough to cross my path.

Yet I never did.

I'd like to say it was logic that stopped me. That I consciously decided it just didn't make sense to blame this Edward for things he wouldn't do for a hundred years… things he would never do, if I had my way.

But in fact, it wasn't logic.

It was Edward.

I'd feel the pain and rage roiling in my stomach, but then I'd open the door to his smiling, beautiful face and it would just… disappear. The hole was just gone – not mended, but as if there was never a hole to begin with.

I didn't understand it, and really I'd given up trying to.

So when I found myself succumbing to the painful memories again, I gave up on sleep. Instead, I found myself sitting in the kitchen, picking at a biscuit while Maggie made homemade chocolate pudding.

The pudding smelled amazing, by the way.

"Here," Maggie said, plopping a large bowl and sieve in front of me. "Make yourself useful and strain this for me, will you please?" She handed me the pot of hot pudding, showing me how to use a wooden spoon to press it through the sieve to remove any lumps.

"Maggie, can I ask you something?" I pushed the pudding through the sieve methodically, waiting for her answer.

"Well it's about time!" she exclaimed as she wiped her hands on her apron, her brogue thickening. "I've been watching you mope about this kitchen for two days, wondering when you were finally going to talk about what's bothering you!"

I shrugged, aimlessly twirling my wooden spoon. "I'm sorry. I guess I've been a little distracted."

"Your young man again?" she asked, running hot water in the sink to wash dishes.

"He said he'd call but he hasn't," I replied pathetically. God, I was such a loser.

"You're not the first woman to wait on a man, Bella," she said with a shake of her head. "I sincerely doubt you'll be the last." She gazed out the kitchen window, pensively. It was almost as if she were waiting for something… or someone.

"I know. It doesn't make it any easier, though." I watched Maggie as she gazed out the window and wondered if she even heard what I said. "Maggie?"

"Hmmm?" She turned to me finally. "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

I hesitated, unsure if my question would upset her. "I was just wondering… about Henry…"

I watched her intently. Her jaw tightened a bit, but when she spoke her voice was soft. "What about him?"

I licked my lips. "Well… umm… I know it must have hurt a lot when he left."

She looked away abruptly. "That's not a question," she stated flatly.

Crap. I was upsetting her.

"Never mind," I said hurriedly. "I don't want to pry…"

"Bella, it's all right," she interrupted, turning back to me. "What is it you want to know?"

I bit my lip. "I just wondered if… after everything he's put you through… if he came back and was sorry and wanted to be with you again. Would you take him back?"

She took a deep breath. "I ask myself that every day," she confided. "That man broke my heart. He left me all but penniless." A soft smile lit her face. "But there were good times too. Some mornings he would sneak out at dawn to this bakery downtown. They had these little sweet rolls with toasted cinnamon almonds on them. They were my favorite." She was looking out the window again, a faraway gaze on her face. "Even when we were having a tough time making ends meet Henry would bring home two of those rolls, still warm from the oven. 'A sweet for my sweet', he'd say."

She wasn't looking at me, but I could hear the tears in her voice.

"God, I loved that man," she said in a near-whisper, brushing her hands over her eyes and turning to me. "But would I take him back? If he came here, begging my forgiveness and promising he'd love me forever? I don't know," she admitted. "I'd like to say I'd be strong. I'd turn him away and tell him to go back to his tramp and leave me alone, but…" her voice drifted off as her gaze returned to the window.

"But…?" I prodded.

"But love isn't always logical," she said with a small smile. "And if Henry came here begging me to take him back? I might."

We both jumped as the phone rang. Maggie dabbed her eyes with her apron. "I believe that's probably for you," she said with a smile.

I rushed over to give her a quick hug before going to answer the phone.

x-x

To my surprise, Edward called to invite me to an early dinner the following day, and offered to drive me to the hospital afterward. He made no snide comments about my job and even said he was excited to see where I worked.

Go figure.

So Tuesday afternoon I took a little more care than usual getting dressed. I opted to wear my tea dress and bring my uniform along to change into when I got to work. Edward showed up promptly at four o'clock and was standing just inside the door when I came down the stairs. He wore a dark blue suit and held a dark hat in his hands, nervously running his fingers around the brim.

"Hello, Edward." He looked up when I greeted him, and a genuine smile lit his face.

"Hello, Bella. It's nice to see you again," he replied, reaching for the door. "Are you ready to go?"

I nodded and called out a goodbye to Maggie as we walked outside and down to Edward's car.

Dinner was… pleasant. Edward took me to a restaurant just a few blocks from the hospital so we wouldn't have to rush our meal. We both enjoyed juicy steaks with baked potatoes and steamed vegetables and chatted about our families. Edward's father was an attorney. Samantha had told me her father and his were in business together, but I hadn't known they were actually partners in a successful law practice. Edward's mother was much like Samantha's, he told me. She was heavily involved in charity work – in particular the plight of orphans in the city.

When Edward asked me about my family I hesitated, but decided to go ahead and tell him the truth - at least a version of it. I told him I had lived with my father, a small town police chief, until I lost him and came to Chicago. Pity filled his eyes at that and I did feel a little guilty leading him to believe both my parents were dead. I didn't really see an alternative, though.

Chicken that I was, I avoided telling him about my planned trip to Springfield. I knew I had to tell him sometime, but didn't want to ruin our nice evening with what I knew would be an argument.

Edward was attentive and courteous, but he also seemed strangely anxious and a little distracted. As we walked out of the restaurant, he suggested we walk to the hospital and I agreed, wrapping my hand through his bent arm.

We walked along in silence for a bit, then I finally asked, "Edward, is something wrong?"

He glanced at me and the side of his mouth rose in a half-grin. "No, sorry. I just need to ask you something, and to be honest I'm a little nervous about it."

Edward nervous about talking to me? Well this was a change.

"What is it?" I asked with an encouraging smile.

He ran his free hand through his hair. "Well… um… next Sunday is Easter," he began.

"Is it? I didn't realize," I replied.

"Yes." He nodded. "And my mother would like… I mean, I would like it if you would… maybe… join us for services?"

"Services?" I repeated blankly. "You mean church?"

He gave me a curious look. "Yes. Church. And dinner afterward… at my house… with my parents."

My mouth dried. He wanted me to meet his parents. I mean, technically I had already met his mom, but this was meeting the parents. Nerves clenched in my stomach at the thought. What if they hated me? What if they forbid him to see me?

"If you don't want to… if it's too soon… I understand," Edward rambled, flushing hotly. "It's just that my mother really wanted you to come… and I thought it might be nice…"

I battled my anxiety. "No, Edward… it would be nice… it sounds nice… it's just that…" My eyes fell to the ground. "What if they don't like me?" I asked timidly.

Edward released a breath, visibly relieved. "Of course they'll like you, Bella. My mother already likes you."

Surprised, I looked at him. "Really?"

"Sure, it was her idea. She said she'd love to see you again." He paused, a smirk appearing on his lips. "As for my father, as long as you steer clear of your suffrage soap box, you should do just fine."

I rolled my eyes. "I take it he's where you got your old-fashioned views on women."

Edward shrugged, unaffected. "We do agree on many issues, yes." He paused, looking at me intently. "However, I may be reconsidering my former position. It's possible there may be merit to the argument in favor of women's rights," he said grudgingly.

"How very forward-thinking of you, Mr. Masen," I replied with a grin.

"Well, Samantha was very convincing. It's easier to consider someone's position when they're speaking calmly instead of shouting at you." He shot me a wry glance.

"I don't shout. I speak passionately."

"If you say so."

We rounded the corner a block away from the hospital, and I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe Edward was coming around. Maybe he'd be okay with me going to the suffrage march.

"Ummm… there's something I've been meaning to tell you too," I began. "I'm going to be going on a trip next weekend – the weekend after Easter."

"A trip?" Edward repeated. "A trip where?"

"To Springfield," I said, biting my lip.

"Springfield? What are you going to do in Springfield?" he asked curiously.

"Ummm… I'll be going to a march." I took a breath, diving in. "A suffrage march."

To his credit, Edward didn't explode. Instead, he stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and said, "Those marches are dangerous, Bella. Women have been arrested. Are you ready to go to prison?"

"No one's going to prison, Edward."

"You don't know that," he retorted, his voice low, but serious. "You'll be in a strange city, all by yourself. It's not safe."

"I won't be by myself," I said quickly, just as quickly regretting it.

"Who are you going with?" he asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

I looked away. "My friend, Eleanor."

"Eleanor Donahue?" he growled quietly, anger setting in. "I should have known that woman was behind this!"

I bristled. "Eleanor is my friend," I said firmly. "She and I will be traveling together."

"You absolutely will not!" he yelled. "You're not going anywhere with that… that harlot!"

I turned on him in fury. "She is not a harlot! And you can't tell me where I can or cannot go!"

"Is there a problem, Bella?" A quiet, musical voice interrupted our argument and I turned to see Carlisle standing a few feet away in the shade of an awning, a concerned look on his face.

Edward fumed. "Who are you?" he asked aggressively.

"I am a friend of Bella's," Carlisle said quietly, but with definite warning in his tone. "Who are you?"

"Ummm…" I interrupted. "Edward, this is Carlisle… Dr. Cullen… my boss. Dr. Cullen, this is Edward Masen."

The two men sized each other up, but made no move to shake hands. I half expected them to pee on each other… or on me.

Men!

Edward looked at Carlisle as if solving a puzzle. "Cullen, you say?" He turned toward me, suspicion in his eyes. I groaned inwardly, only imagining what was going through Edward's mind.

Carlisle ignored him, turning instead to take a step toward me, still staying under the awning. "Bella, are you all right?" he asked.

"Of course she's all right," Edward retorted and I could swear I heard a low growl come from Carlisle. I looked at him in surprise, but he was focused on Edward.

"I'm… fine, Dr. Cullen," I said, taking his arm lightly. "It's nearly six o'clock. I need to get to work." I turned to Edward. "Thank you for dinner, Edward. I'll talk to you later."

Edward was watching us with a scowl on his face. His eyes dipped to where my hand touched Carlisle and darkened further.

"I'll telephone you tomorrow," he said, casting a warning glance toward Carlisle. "And I'll pick you up at eight o'clock on Sunday… for Easter… with my family," he emphasized, a smug look on his face. Carlisle said nothing, but I noticed his eyes narrowing just a touch.

"Fine," I said, exasperated. Testosterone swirled in the air as I tugged on Carlisle's arm, heading toward the hospital and trying to stay in the shade to prevent him from sparkling like a diamond in the dwindling, but still-apparent sunlight. Fortunately, it was a bit overcast and we managed to stay in the shadows. I looked back before we walked through the door and saw Edward still watching us. He waved before turning to head back down the street, muttering to himself.

I released Carlisle's arm and waited until we were in his office before I turned on him.

"Just what was that all about?" I asked accusingly.

Carlisle shrugged. "I heard you yelling and thought you might be in trouble. I was only trying to help."

"You were eavesdropping on me?"

"No, I wasn't eavesdropping," Carlisle said defensively, "but I heard your argument and wanted to come out to make sure you were all right." He paused, then added in a quieter voice. "I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't mean to interfere. Really, I was just worried about you."

I sighed, unable to stay mad at Carlisle. "I know," I said finally. "It's okay." Then as an afterthought added, "You heard me? From all the way up here?" I was still a little annoyed and let that color my voice.

Carlisle smirked. "I happen to have excellent hearing."

"Yes, I'm sure you do," I said wryly before changing the subject. "So what are we doing tonight?"

Carlisle had me work on organizing the files in his bursting filing cabinet, taking out anything older than five years and setting it aside for him to review. He worked in his laboratory while I went through the files and the room was quiet except for the rustling of paper and occasional clink of a slide against the microscope.

"So," Carlisle began, interrupting the silence. "That boy… that's the Edward you were telling me about?" he asked nonchalantly. "The one you were worried would be hurt by your friend Samantha?"

I looked up from the file I was reading. "Yes," I said hesitantly, unsure of where this was going.

"Mmm…" he murmured. "He seems to have recovered nicely."

My eyes widened in amused surprise. "Carlisle! Are you being snarky?"

He flashed me a glance, then quickly looked back to his microscope. "I'm not trying to be… snarky," he said. "It just seemed to me like he wasn't all that concerned about Samantha. He seemed much more interested in you."

I swallowed, knowing I'd have to tread carefully. "Well, I might have overestimated his feelings for Samantha."

Carlisle hummed noncommittally, switching out his slide.

I thought he was finished talking and turned back to my filing, surprised when he turned to me with a worried look on his face. "I don't like how he was talking to you, Bella. He seems very… aggressive."

I softened at Carlisle's protective concern. It was actually nice to know he was looking out for me… like he did for everyone he cared about. I remembered how he talked about Edward as he picked pieces of broken glass out of my arm after my disastrous birthday party. His voice held that same protectiveness… that innate yearning to keep those he loved safe.

"Carlisle, there's nothing to worry about," I assured him. "Edward and I tend to butt heads, but he would never hurt me."

"Still, he seems like a bit of an ass," he muttered, turning back to his slides.

I chuckled. "Well… he is… at times," I admitted. "But not always. He can be really sweet too."

Carlisle huffed and focused his microscope. We worked in silence for a few more minutes, until Carlisle said quietly, "There are a lot of sweet men out there, Bella. And many of them would never think of yelling at you or trying to make you into something you're not."

I didn't know what to say to that, and Carlisle didn't look up. So instead I focused on my files as he packed his slides in a small box and put them in a drawer.

He turned to me, picking up the stack of files I had laid on his desk, flipping through them absently. "I'm sorry, Bella," he said finally. "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

"You didn't," I said hurriedly, then shrugged. "Well, maybe a little bit, but it's okay. I appreciate the fact that you are worried about me. It really means a lot... really," I added, when at last he met my eyes.

He smiled slightly. "Good, I'm glad," he said. "Now what's this about a suffrage march?"

"I knew you were eavesdropping!" I scolded.

He laughed slightly. "Well, I didn't hear everything, but it was kind of hard to miss," he teased. "You're rather loud when you're upset."

I rolled my eyes, ignoring that comment. "I'm going with Eleanor Donahue…" I began and Carlisle emitted a strangled sound. He looked away quickly, and I swear if he still had blood in his veins he would have blushed.

"Carlisle? Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yes, yes of course," he stammered.

A light suddenly flickered on in my head. "Carlisle… do you… know Eleanor Donahue?"

He wouldn't meet my eyes, but said quietly, "Yes, I know her."

I couldn't resist teasing him a bit. "In the biblical sense?"

"That's a rather personal question," he chided.

"And that's not a 'no'," I pointed out teasingly. "Carlisle?" I prodded. "How is that even possible?"

Embarrassed eyes met mine for a moment before he replied, "I met Eleanor several years ago, shortly after her husband died. She had just returned from Europe and was seeing a young Frenchman."

"Pierre," I murmured.

He nodded. "We met at an art exhibit of a mutual friend and got to chatting. We became friends. When Pierre left to go back to France, we became… more for a time."

I gaped in disbelief. "But," I said hesitantly, "wasn't that… dangerous?" If what Edward went through to be with me was any indication, Carlisle had to have super-human control to have a relationship like that with a human woman. I wondered how much she knew about him.

He shrugged. "It probably wasn't a wise decision, but we were both lonely and looking for companionship. It didn't last long. We both realized we were better as friends."

"Are you still friends?" I asked.

"I see her on occasion socially, but we're not as close as we once were. It's difficult to return to that kind of relationship once you've been… intimate."

I was dying of curiosity, wondering just how intimate Carlisle had been with Eleanor. I couldn't bring myself to ask, though. "I'm so sorry," I said instead.

He smiled. "No need Bella, really. It was a long time ago and was… nothing serious. No broken hearts… no hurt feelings. Eleanor was, and is, a lovely woman. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time in Springfield."

Carlisle really seemed to be all right, so I took the opportunity to satisfy at least a little of my curiosity.

"So do you… see women… often?" I asked.

He smirked. "No, not often," he said simply.

"But you do… see women, on occasion," I prompted.

He chuckled. "On occasion."

"Hmmm," I murmured. "Are you… seeing a woman now?"

Carlisle regarded me impassively. "Why do you ask?"

I blushed, looking away quickly. "Just curious. I'm sorry… I don't mean to be nosy."

"It's all right," he said quietly. "The answer is no, I'm not… seeing a woman right now." I looked back at him as he continued, his amber gaze focused on mine. "It's been a long time since I've met someone I could trust… someone I could connect with on a more intimate level."

He seemed to sense my discomfort, because he added with a wry smile, "Besides, women can be a pain in the neck, present company excluded, of course."

I grinned. "Of course."

But my smile didn't reach my eyes, and as Carlisle turned to go back to work, I worried about what he was thinking.

x-x

My dreams that night were dark and frightening, with flashes of black and gray and red… disturbing images I could barely grasp before they flickered away.

Rosalie… Emmett… Esme… faces grimaced in pain… harsh screams and sobs… and blood, everywhere blood.

I turned in the darkness as each voice called out to me… barely able to form words amidst the cries of agony. Tears poured down my face as I reached out, unable to touch them before they would vanish in the darkness.

Edward's face appeared before me, pale and golden-eyed, a slow smile lighting his otherworldly features. Then I heard a voice behind me and came face-to-face with the human Edward, flushed and grinning. I looked back and forth between them and noticed each was grasping one of my hands, tugging lightly.

"You have to choose, Bella." Carlisle appeared before me, his beautiful face sad and serious. "You must choose."

Suddenly my arms were being tugged more forcefully, as the gaze of each Edward left my face and focused on the other. Before I knew it, they had released me and were attacking each other, eyes wild and fists flying, rolling on the ground before me.

Before me, Carlisle was replaced by Alice. "You have to choose," she said firmly as I watched the violent battle at my feet.

With a roaring cry, blood spurted between the two men and I cried out as the vampire Edward looked up at me, his teeth and mouth dripping with blood, his eyes glowing red. The human Edward lay unmoving before me, a gaping wound at his neck.

"No!" I screamed, dropping to my knees.

Then they were gone, and I was alone, sobbing uncontrollably and surrounded only by darkness.

A/N: I know the dreams are driving you all crazy – Sorry! What do they mean? Well, we'll find out soon. Just remember… sometimes a dream is just a dream… and sometimes it may be more.

I hope this gives a little more insight into Bella's thoughts – and the reasons behind her decision to try and save Edward. She'll explain a bit more in the next chapter.

Teaser for Chapter 11 will be on the Fictionators Blog Teaser Monday… check it out at www(dot)fictionators(dot)com on Monday.

And my one-shot All Aboard has made it through to the final round in the Fun With Your Clothes On Contest – thanks to all who voted!

The final round of voting is NOW OPEN at http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/u/2291087/FunWithYourClothesOn

If you haven't read All Aboard, it's on my profile. If you liked it, I hope you'll vote!

Voting closes 5/5/10 at 11:59pm EST.

Much love to the Whack Pack... with a big pile of Robporn on Top! :-)