Summary: Life in quiet old forks is about to get a lot more interesting with the arrival of the new chief of medicine at Forks General and the family he brings along with him. What will Bella's response be to his son, the charismatic resident Doctor Edward Cullen.

Disclaimer: I don't own twilight or anything associated with it.

Today was just going to be one of those days...

How on earth did I get talked into this?I pondered standing outside the dark and gloomy building, otherwise know as my person hell.

I am a sucker for a sob story that's how. I knew it and unfortunately my friends did too and as such used this to their advantage.

It was a recognised fact that I Isabella Swan was the biggest wimp around, the first sight of blood and I would panic. Even the very thought of blood made me hyperventilate. I don't know why but it always got me. You know someone just like me.I was the infamous fainter at every biology blood typing, at every injection and every incident whether it be minor or major. It didn't help that I was a magnet for danger as my dad always said.

It would actually be quite funny if it wasn't so mortifying. Not only would I faint but combined with my clumsy nature I always seemed to find a way to prolong the embarrassment. Like the time I fainted in biology and managed to bang my head on the table on my way down or the time during our flu jab when I managed to pass out cold almost taking the person stood besides me down with me. Or my personal favourite was the time I nearly got crushed to death by Tyler's van not two weeks after starting school. Thankfully on that occasion I had managed to jump out of the way just at the last moment. Unfortunately the force with which I hit the ground succeeded in me not only breaking my arm but also left me severely concussed. It may sound dramatic but these were typical occurrences in my life.

But yet here I stood outside Forks hospitals annual blood drive!!!

I had quite possibly lost my mind

Or maybe I had lost my mind the day I decided to move to this small town in the first place?

Deep down I knew that wasn't really the case. I had fallen in love with it the minute I set foot in it nearly 6 years ago. It seemed like only yesterday since I arrived, initially just looking to spend some quality time with the father I hardly knew. I had dreaded the thought of spending my entire summer in the small town and expected to be counting down the days until I could return to the glorious sunshine of Phoenix that I loved so much. What I didn't count on was falling in love with the small town community spirit and friendly ways. Even its idle gossip didn't deter me.

In truth I was apprehensive at the thought of returning 'home' to Phoenix. Don't get me wrong I loved Phoenix. I loved my scatterbrained mother and her pedantic ways. Its just I never felt like I fitted in there.

I was the quiet loner through high school and whilst I had some friends there was no one I would particularly miss.

Moreover I was anxious to break the bond I was beginning to form with my father. Obviously I had spent time with him after my parents divorced but it was no more than a few weekends here or there or an odd day or two around thanksgiving or Christmas, where he would usually come visit me in Phoenix.

I was regretful of the time lost and was reluctant to give up what I was now experiencing by leaving. But when summer came to an end I did and grudgingly returned to my mother.

Though I tried to hide it she instantly picked up on my discomfort.

She always called me her open book and as such knew me much better than I knew myself. She knew something was wrong and demanded I tell her what the matter was. When I finally opened up and admitted the truth I expected her to be hurt by my confession but she simply reassured me.

She saw how miserable I was in those short few weeks since summer had passed.

And though she thought I would work through it in time, she understood my attachment to the town she had once called home. But weeks passed and there was still no change.

When she gave me the choice I was fearful and uncertain of how I could I leave her. Yes she was a grown woman and had a life of her own with her new husband Phil, but I was still cautious.

She picked up on my reluctance instantly and urged me to go with my gut.

Of course my gut was telling me Forks. I couldn't explain it but I felt like it was the only place where I truly belonged. My mother reassured me that she was only a phone call away and would visit me at the drop of a hat, so subsequently I returned there not 2 weeks later. Only this time it was for good.

My time here wasn't always plane sailing but I couldn't regret my decision for one minute. Charlie dotted on me and we really became close.

So here I stayed, opting to study at the Washington University so I could stay close to home. I completed my bachelors of art degree in English literature and worked hard throughout school focussing on my studies. Whilst others simple close to drink and be irresponsible I actively sought to grow and mature.

Don't get me wrong I did have a social life, I even went on a few dates in college but nothing ever came of them. I had always been a reclusive character and was reluctant to open up to others. I was much like Charlie in that sense. Even in high school I didn't date. I was awkward and shy around boys. It wasn't that I was unpopular I just saw no need to spend my high school years chasing boys and instead decided to focus on school. Furthermore being the police chiefs daughter didn't exactly make me the most popular with all the guys. Charlie was very protective of me and no one wanted the chief on their backs.

So after a lot of hard work and a further two years at college I finally got there and completed my masters of library science. In celebration of the end of my schooling years I had spent the summer back in Phoenix. It was the ideal chance to spend some quality time with mom before my life in the real world really began. Fortunately I had already got a job lined up for the start of the semester helping at the local community college library in Forks. Reading had always been my passion and whilst I'm sure many looked upon my job as boring I genuinely felt content and happy at the thought of numerous hours in my own personal sanctuary.

Looking back moving to Forks was the best decision I ever made.

Well apart from today that is, I thought as I imagined the imminent disaster about to take place.

What am I even doing here, maybe it wasn't too late to back out and I could sneak off before any of the others noticed I had gone.

"Bellaaaaaaaaaaa" Jessica's voice cut into my escape plan. So much for going unnoticed.

Reluctantly I looked across at Jessica. She had a triumphant grin on her face similar to that of a Cheshire cat and stood completely aware of my unease.

"Its good of you to do this really it is. I know what your like but maybe this time will be different" she couldn't hide her snigger at the end. We both knew that would never happen so I had in no uncertain terms specified that I wouldn't be partaking. I was simply there for moral support and to offer comfort to my friends. My best friend Angela had convinced me that any help would be good and me being the fool I was had agreed. Boy was I regretting that decision now.

I saw Angela approach me with a bright smile as always.

"Hey Bella, I'm so glad you could make it. I thought you would have backed out on us" Angela said. She really did know me too well.

Angela was one of the first people I met when I moved to Forks. I had dreaded the prospect of starting a new school and making new friends. But the moment I met Angela my fears evaporated. She put me at ease with her kind and friendly nature. She was a little timid like me and we shared a lot of common interests. Moreover she didn't seem keen to impress me like the majority of students had tried and failed in doing. I don't know why they bothered but Jessica later explained it had something to do with me being the 'shiny new toy' as she had put it.

But none of that had mattered to me. What mattered was that I had found a true friend in Angela, someone I could trust, share my secrets with and someone who wouldn't change for the sake of popularity. She was still the same person who had befriended me on that faithful day when most only wanted to know me because I was the new girl and didn't want to get to know the real me.

Our friendship had strengthened over the years as we had grown and matured. We even went to the same college though we took different courses. But we always found time together. Even now that Angela had her own life and perfect boyfriend Ben, we still were as close as ever.

My thoughts were brought back to the present as I remembered what we were doing outside the hospital. My unhappiness didn't go unnoticed by Jessica who glanced up to look at me.

"Don't be like that Bella, Wait until you see the main attraction" she explained.

Ah ha so there was some ulterior motive behind Jess's seemingly good deed.

Angela was a sweetheart, good through and through and always willing to help any good cause, so I had no reason to doubt her intentions. Jessica on the other hand was not so. Don't get me wrong she is a friend, but were not that close really. I swear she only puts up with me one for Angela's sake and secondly so she could see first hand what amusing situations I somehow found myself in.

Jessica was the second friend I had made at school though our friendship was often strained by her close friendship to another girl at our school named Lauren. Lauren was the epitome of the typical popular ,rich and superior. She seemed to have it in for me from day one and had taken great pleasure in embarrassing and humiliating me. I never knew what caused her opposition to me but Angela had speculated it had something to do with her ex boyfriend Tyler taking an interest in me. The fact that I turned him down was of no consequence and if anything I think she took offence to the fact that I wanted nothing to do with her cast off. Jessica stayed blissfully ignorant in her open hostility towards me but I long got over her indifference. I understood it must have been awkward for her to be stuck in the middle.

Jessica's voice interrupted me from thinking.

"Hello earth to Bella are you even listening to me!"she declared annoyance evident in her tone.

"I said wait till you see the main attraction"she repeated

"main attraction?" I asked puzzled

"Oh that's right Bella,what with you being gone all summer you wont have met the Cullen's" she announced with a smirk and twinkle in her eye.

"The Cullens?" I questioned.

She looked like the cat who got the cream as she explained.

"Doctor Cullen and his family moved here not 6 weeks ago from Alaska. They're moving into one of the mansions down by the river. Dr Cullen is like some world renowned surgeon. My mom mentioned he was also the new chief of staff or something. I don't know whatever possessed him to move to this town!" she declared suspiciously.

"Maybe he just wants to help" Angela suggested.

"As if" Jessica sniggered at the very thought..

"Probably something to do with his domineering wife. My mom met her last week in the supermarket and found her to be rather snobbish. Maybe city life was too much for them" she criticised. I listened as she continued to belittle and bad mouth those she had no doubt had little conversation with. I just put her criticism down to sour grapes of the no doubt perfect family.

"The best of it is that their kids moved down with them too. Though I'm not sure you could describe them as kids they're all around our age. The eldest,Emmett is like this beefy football type. He coaches in one of the schools I forget which one though" she stated with clear disinterest.

"Then there's the twins Alice and Edward. Alice is this little sort of pixie like character with short back hair. She's a little weird if you ask me." She snipped.

"She's opening a boutique in town .Not sure how long that's going to last. I give it a month, maybe two tops!" she criticised. I loved forks to bits but sometimes its small town prejudice and gossip really did rattle me.

"Then there's Edward" she sighed dreamily "Wait until you see him" she declared.

"He's like some sort of prodigy, who graduated from medical school early. He's a resident at county too. He's totally gorgeous and I do mean seriously gorgeous. Anyhow I don't want to spoil it for you so I will say no more and leave you to make up your own mind about him. But trust me you will know him when you see him"

"All I'll say is that Mike Newton will have a bit more competition when it comes to being forks resident hottie!" she declared giggling.

She had got to be kidding me. Mike Newton had been the plague of my high school years. Whilst the majority of the female population tried to engage in conversation with Mike I had spent the majority of high school actively trying to avoid it. Not that it did much good he would still hang around me like a bad smell. He just never seemed to pick up on the clear back off vibes that I kept throwing his way on numerous occasions. I couldn't have made it any clearer if I had fuck off written on my forehead.

Thankfully he decided to go to college on the east coast. So I only had to endure him on the holidays when he would show up at the library that I helped out at during the summer. Unfortunately he too had moved back into town this past summer to help run his fathers shop. I had thus far been successful in avoiding him.

"Come on lets get in there" Jessica probed eagerly.

I took in a deep breathe and prayed to god this would be as quick and painless as possible.

"I really appreciate you doing this Bella" Angela said as we linked arms and headed through the hospital doors.

The smell hit me instantly. The others though I was imagining it but I swear I instantly picked up on the rusty smell of blood. I tried not to inhale and no doubt looked like I was sucking on a lemon. Jessica just laughed at my discomfort but Ang gave my hand a gentle squeeze as she approached the front desk.

"Hi Mrs Clearwater, we are here to give blood" Angela stated no doubt recognising the nurse from her countless other good deeds.

"Straight down the hallway, third door on the left" the lady instructed with a smile.

We took off following her directions and I honestly felt like I was on death row heading to my execution. Dramatic I know but that was how i felt

As we approached the door I tried to talk myself up to it.

You can do this, you can do this I repeated in my head. Its only a little bit of blood. I'm here for Ang. I don't even need to give blood. I can do this I reaffirmed to myself.

"You can do what" Jessica said from besides me looking a mixture of entertained and amused by my reaction. I blushed and looked down.

Angela lead the way as we went into the small examination room . A line had formed where people waited to give blood. I tried not too look too closely at that which would no doubt make me gag. Surprisingly though it wasn't as bad as what I first thought -I think I had grown somewhat accustomed to the smell.

"Your doing really well Bella" Angela praised from besides me. I felt like a fool but she always knew how to reassure me. I managed to smile back to her. Joining the back of the queue I was genuinely surprised by how many people had actually turned up. I always imagined there to be a shortage of blood donors but by the looks of this waiting room I imagined there was a endless supply of blood.

Upon closer inspection I realised why that may be the case. No less than 80% of the queue were females between the ages of 17-50. Looking closely they all seemed well dressed, too well dressed to be coming to the hospital. I looked to Jessica and noticed that she too had made an extra effort in her appearance. She had on dark skinny jeans with a tight fitted t shirt and she was also wearing a lot of make up. Me and Angela where the only ones that looked vaguely normal apart from the hospital staff in scrubs. I looked down at myself self consciously. My favourite tatty jeans,grey converses and check shirt had felt comfy this morning but stood besides the immaculately dressed I felt like a slob.

The wheels turned in my head as I realised the reason for this sudden good deed. Obviously the new popularity of giving blood had more to do with a certain doctor leading the effort.

I had yet to meet any of the Cullens but after this Beatles like hysteria I was more than eager to see what had whipped up such a fuss in our small town.

We waited in line for a short while before reaching another desk. A beautiful lady with bronze wavy hair approached us. She seemed friendly and put me at ease immediately.

"Hi girls thank you for taking the time to wait. If you wouldn't mind taking a few moments to fill in these forms, the next doctor available will be with you shortly"she said as she handed us all a form.

"Oh no sorry I'm not here to donate" I mumbled feebly. Could I sound like any more of a loser. I felt my cheeks heat up and looked down at the floor. Focussing on the grey carpet as if it was the most interesting thing I had ever seen.

"That's okay honey we are pleased you could be here in any capacity whether it be supportive friend or willing donor all help is greatly appreciated" she said as she rubbed my shoulder. I smiled shyly back. She seemed genuinely nice and friendly and I felt somewhat better at being the spare part amongst all these supposed do gooders.

We went to sit on one of the nearby tables and whilst the others filled in their forms I sat twiddling with my thumbs. I heard the door open and turned to look at the no doubt fashionably dressed ones here to impress, sorry I mean donate. But the air left my lungs as I caught sight of the most beautiful group of people I had ever seen. I had never seen people in reality to look that good. They were truly stunning and would not have looked out of place on the cover of vogue or other fashion magazines. The first one I guessed from Jessica's description was Emmett. He was stocky and built and looked like he belonged on a football field. But he was smiling as he joked with his siblings. A playful grin tugged at his features and his dimples made me think he was not as intimidating as he looked. Underneath I imagined he was a big softy.

Besides him was the short pixie like girl Jessica had described. Though unlike Jessica's assumption I didn't find her to be weird looking in the slightest. She seemed bubbly and perky as she skipped along besides her family, enthusiastically waving her hands around in the air. Her high spirited nature made me smile. Last but by no means least was the one Jessica spoke of with greatest affection.

Edward...

Even Jessica's words couldn't have prepared me for the sheer sight of him. He was stunning beyond stunning if truth be told. Probably the most gorgeous guy I had seen in both real life and on the big screen. He had bronze unruly hair which looked like he had just woke up and left it like that. Either that or he had given up trying to tame it. It didn't matter whatever the reason it looked good and suited him. His jawline was strong and he had cheekbones most would die for.

But it was his eyes that really drew me in. Such a deep shade of green I could see them from across the room. I don't know why but I couldn't force myself to look away from the perfection that was in front of me. Somehow I got a grip and I begrudgingly looked away from Edward. In the process I accidentally made eye contact with Alice. I looked on horrified at the thought of her catching me openly pining over her brother. She surprise me by giving me a small smile as they walked past our table towards the back of the room and each began shifting through a load of forms.

Having mortified myself enough I looked down to my friends who were busy writing away.

I waited patiently but couldn't help but glance towards their table occasionally. I felt kind of sorry for them as all eyes appeared to be watching the beautiful people. I tried not to be obvious but it was no good when Jessica picked up on my interest immediately.

"So you have finally seen the Cullen's" she declared smugly at catching me staring. I quickly looked away from them. Had I really been that obvious. Jessica's amused smirk told me I clearly had.

"They are certainly very beautiful." I feebly offered as an excuse.

Jessica looked at me sceptically.

"As you can probably tell that's Emmett on the left, Alice besides him and Edward on the far right".

"Edward" I repeated before I could censor my mouth.

"Yeah he's totally gorgeous, obviously" she added as an after thought.

"But apparently nobody around here is good enough for him. Either that or he doesn't know what is right in front of him. Like I care" she said as she posed.

"Seriously don't waste your time on him" she added.

I wasn't planning on it for one second. He was gorgeous and no doubt intelligent and successful. He was completely out of my league. Heck I bet he was out of Lauren and all the pretty girls that the town had to offers league too. I was no masochist. I sighed in defeat and waited patiently whilst Angela and Jessica filled in their forms.

Bordem set in so in the meantime I glanced over at the unfilled form I had been given. Some of the questions seemed pointless but still I'm sure they were necessary.

"Have you left the country in the last 6months" I repeated out loud.

"Only in my dreams" I answered more to myself.

"Is there a chance you may be pregnant" I repeated another.

"Not unless its the immaculate conception" I whispered sarcastically to Angela.

Or so I thought until I was horrified to hear a faint chuckling besides me. I quickly glanced to the side but was mortified to see a figure retreating towards the front of the queue. He was tall and well built and from behind I could only make out a hint of the infamous bronze hair I had caught a glimpse of earlier. He turned and sat down with a fresh cup of coffee in hand and my breathing stopped. I hadn't even seen him get up! Of all the people to have overheard it would have to be Edward Cullen.

I turned back to Angela and refused to look away from her eyes that were bulging as she looked to the right of me. I felt like my cheeks were on fire and I no doubt looked like a lobster.

"Edward Cullen just smiled at you" she stated.

I thought Jessica was about to stab me with the pen she had in her hand when I caught sight of the anger in her face.

"Edward Cullen please Angela be reasonable he doesn't even know me" I said.

I made a subtle attempt to look at the Cullens again but immediately regretted it when my eyes met Edwards intrigued green ones.A crooked smile lit up his features making him all the more attractive if that was possible. I blushed scarlet again and quickly looked down whilst hearing Jessica laughing at my predicament.

"Caught out" she sniggered.

We stayed seated until Angela and Jessica had both completed their forms. Upon completion Jessica eagerly volunteered to pass on the forms to the necessary person. Of course it was no coincidence that that person happened to be Doctor Cullens family. Whilst Jessica was gone Angela explained how they were all keen to do their bit in trying to be a part of the community. She had some contact with Esme earlier that week and disagreed wholeheartedly with Jessica's view of Mrs Cullen. She had been nothing short of friendly and polite to me and I too doubted that Jessica's assumptions were warranted. She couldn't have been more opposite from the self obsessed snob she had painted her to be.

I looked across to where Jessica stood talking to the Cullens. The big one Emmett looked highly amused and attempted to keep in his laughter down whilst Alice simply looked at her twin brother apologetically. It was then that I noticed the source of Emmett's amusement. I could clearly make out Edwards bemused expression as Jessica was literally throwing the full charm offensive at him. She was accustomed in the art of flirting but from Edwards expression I could tell she wasn't as alluring as she had hoped. Whilst Edward was certainly polite and appeared gracious of her efforts, he clearly was highly embarrassed too. I don't know who I felt more sorry for, Edwards discomfort or Jessica's obvious failure.

If Jessica who could flirt with the best of them couldn't catch the eye of Edward Cullen then what chance did someone like I have. I should just forget this hopeless thinking before I let this simple crush turn into much more. I sighed and painfully looked down.

"You know he's not interested in Jessica right?" Ang said breaking my thoughts of my own inadequacy. I just shrugged dis-heartedly.

"What's that look all about?" she questioned me immediately.

"It doesn't matter anyway. He would never be interested in me" the truth hurt to say aloud.

"Isabella Swan you look and listen to me right now. Edward Cullen would be lucky to have you. And don't let your insecurities tell you otherwise" Angela fiercely told me.

"Ang I don't even know him, he could have anyone of the girls in line here that are no doubt interested in him. He doesn't even know I'm alive" I said defeated.

"Trust me on this Bella he knows your alive"

"Besides by the looks he keeps sending your way I can guarantee it is not Jessica whom he is interested in" she said smiling.

At that I couldn't help chance a look at Edward. Indeed he was looking in my direction as Angela had said. His look of disinterest in Jessica's idle talk disappeared and was replaced with curiosity. As our eyes met he offered me that same crooked smile.

Though I could feel my embarrassment set in and my blush return I somehow managed to send him a small smile back.

It looks like my life was about to get a hell of a lot more interesting.

Authors Note:

Sorry I know the first chapter doesn't include much of Edward but now that the boring bit of setting the scene is done with I will hopefully now move onto the main action.

Please review and let me know what you think...