Author's Note - Hope you enjoy the ride. Sit back, relax and tighten your seatbelts please ;)

Disclaimer - Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer, I'm just swimming in her pool.

- Chapter 1 -

The dark streets seemed to be endless as I trudged onwards, my wet boots sloshing and squelching with each step. My damp clothes clung to my tired body as I concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. Rain splashed onto the ground in thin, drizzly sheets and my teeth began to chatter consistently. I wrapped my arms around myself for comfort. My once muscular arms were losing their firmness, but I still knew how to defend myself if need be.

"Hey buddy!" A voice behind me called. I spun round to face a blonde guy who was stumbling towards me, clearly drunk as fuck. I rolled my eyes and turned to keep walking.

"Aww c'mon help a guy out!" He slurred, his tufty blonde hair sticking to his head from the rain.

"Fuck off!" I yelled back. I knew this was unwise, but I didn't want or need company right now.

"Please man," He pleaded one more time before dropping to the ground, passing out on the sidewalk underneath a restaurant canopy. The owners would have one hell of a surprise in the morning. And probably a pile of puke to mop up too. I felt bad about leaving him, but it was each to their own out here and I needed to find shelter for the night.

My old red shirt was ripped and torn from climbing over barbed wire to reach dumpsters behind upper class restaurants and my jeans could use a wash. Jeans in the rain was no sodding joke and everyone knew that. The occasional taxi cab would roll past as I walked down the main street of the town I once called home.

Cabs were lucky. They were yellow, money making machines and I sure as fuck wanted to be one. Or maybe the driver of one. I crossed over the deserted street, ignoring the chilly breeze that was trickling into my bloodstream, numbing my limbs. I passed cafés, shops and businesses that were shut down for the night, their flickering neon signs irritating my eyes. I turned away from the street, heading for the outskirts of town where I could hopefully find a lone alleyway to sleep in.

Druggies, drunks and other homeless people passed me, giving me wary looks as they sidled quickly past me. I may be weakening each day I was out here, but I was still well-built and knew how to look at people the right way to tell them, subtly, to back the hell off. I scratched my stubbly chin and sighed, keeping my eyes open for anywhere to catch forty winks. Nothing. At least, no where I could be sure I wouldn't be disturbed.

I could have gone to the Homeless Centre for the night, but they were usually full most nights and I didn't want to get into another fight like last time. Some fucker had stolen my hoodie and penknife, so I had nothing to defend myself with apart from my fists.

He had ran out like a coward and I never saw him again. My fists clenched angrily at the memory as I walked across a narrow road towards a short boulevard. There was fewer shops in this part of town and I didn't know this area so well.

I felt disoriented, but kept going, unwilling to give up now. I never gave up, no matter what. That's how I ended up out here in the first place.

My mother and father had been killed in a homicidal fire in our home a couple of months ago. I needed to find out who had killed them, but wasn't sure where to start. Their house was going to be my inheritance, but I had found out through leads from the Police that the killer was after me too.

I didn't want them to find my whereabouts and kill me also. Therefore, jobs, houses or belongings were out of the question. I kept my head down and left no trail of evidence behind. I don't really exist anymore.

So, I disappeared, hitch-hiking twenty miles away where I stayed in the nearest town for a few months, laying low before deciding to come back once I knew it was safe. I never went back to the Police - they would only pursue me and my disappearance.

I looked up into the dark, blurry night sky as the rain got heavier, pounding onto my back in abusive torment. Running under the nearest canopy that belonged to a café, I shuddered and leaned back against the large glass window that framed the front of the building.

I ran a hand through my greasy, wet hair and slicked it back out of my face. I wiped my hand on my jeans with disgust and slid down the window and onto the pavement. It looked like I would be staying here tonight.

Luckily, the canopy was quite large and hung over most of the pavement, shielding me somewhat from the elements.

"Fuck," I shivered as the wind picked up and blew into my face, chilling the hairs on my neck and making my body groan in pain. I pulled my knees up to my chin and folded my arms across them, attempting to keep the wind away from my face. You lose the most heat from your head, right?

I sat there, growing number and number each second, shivering into my knees, my head in my hands. My teeth rattled and my eyes watered.

"Look's like we got a loner over here!" A voice shouted from a few metres away from me. I snapped my head up and got to my feet quickly, stumbling from the lack of feeling in my legs.

"Ha! He's drunk as a skunk - let's sort him out, see if he's got any cash," The leader of the group laughed callously and walked up to me, his strides long and heavy. I went into complete defence mode and clenched my fists, ready for the first move.

His mates followed and circled me, grinning like buffoons. I was trapped against the window of the café, breathing heavily.

"I ain't got no shit on me, so fuck off," I muttered furiously as the biggest guy reached out for me. I was unprepared for the impact of his blow as he punched me in the gut and got me into a headlock quicker than I could blink.

They laughed as I shook my head and began to lash out at them, pounding my fists into the fucker's fat stomach. He wouldn't budge and I figured I was too weak to fight him with my full force.

"Check his pockets, boxers, everything," The leader called out as I continued rebelling against the hold the fat guy had on me. I aimed a shot at an incoming attacker with my right foot and hit him full on in the crotch.

"Shit!" He cursed loudly and dropped to the floor, clutching his balls for dear life. I almost smirked but was aware of another fucker coming at me. I wasn't quite quick enough with my aim this time and missed his incoming fist to my jaw. I groaned and my sight went blurry for a moment. They took this opportunity to shove their hands into my pockets and down my boxers, feeling around for cash, drugs or weapons.

Of course, they found nothing which angered them all.

"Nothing! Fucking nothing!" The leader yelled in exasperation. I growled and shoved at fatso's stomach again, punching him with the little energy I had left.

"Well, little shits like him need a lesson," He decided. "Finish him up," He concluded and my mouth went dry. If they all descended on me at once, I would have no chance whatsoever at retaliating. Heavy punches were thrown at my stomach from fatso as he kept me pinned in headlock.

I kept my mouth shut and took the blows, stifling my groans of pain. I figured if I kept silent they would give up and fuck off. I was wrong. They kept going, aiming for anywhere on my body. My neck, jaw and stomach were soon bloodied and bruising quickly as they laughed at my winces and grimaces.

"Come on little buddy, fight back you weakling!" One of the crowed as he hit me full on the nose, blood immediately spurting out from the force of the blow. I kept silent still, refusing to let them hear a sound from me. One more hit and I knew I would be out and left for dead. I prepared myself for the next blow, as fatso pulled his large fist back. It never came.

A loud bang echoed off the walls of the street and I was dropped to the floor as fatso keeled over, passing out.

"You fucking leave him alone you monsters!" A beautiful, angry, feminine voice came out of nowhere. I raised my head just enough to see a slim brunette woman wielding a saucepan in both her hands, keeping it raised above her right shoulder in a defensive stance.

Her breathing was laboured from the blow she just gave fatso on his head. The others in the group backed off slightly as they gaped at her and back to their mate who was out stone cold.

"Touch him one more time and I will castrate all of you one by one," She warned in a deadly voice that was music to my damaged ears. The leader's eyes widened as he stumbled backwards, away from this angel. She must be an angel, who else would save me?

"Let's go man," Another man said shakily to the others as they gulped and began walking backwards, dragging fatso by his arms down the street and out of sight. I heard another clang as the saucepan hit the concrete and then the angel was leaning over me.

"Oh my God are you okay?" She panicked, picking up my hand and holding it gently. It felt like complete silk and I tried to smile at her, but it came out as a grimace.

"Your not okay! Oh, why did they do this to you? You did nothing to provoke them!" She cried, tears beginning to trail down her pink cheeks. How did she know that? I wanted to tell her I was fine and to thank her, but my jaw was locked with pain and it came out as muffled nonsense.

"Shh," She crooned softly "Just stay quiet for now, I'll help you," She promised, wiping her eyes with her shirt sleeve. I didn't want her to cry, I wanted to see her smile. The sudden urge to touch her face overwhelmed me as I laid my head back onto the pavement.

Get your shit together and get out of here!

"I'm going to call 911," She told me and I immediately panicked. I shook my head violently, growling as the pain in my head doubled. She luckily got the message.

"You don't want to go to hospital?" She asked. I shook my head again and she sighed. "Okay, no hospitals," She sniffled and reached out to touch my matted hair that was clumped with blood and sweat.

"I'm gonna help you up and you are going to come inside and have a rest," She commanded in a soft voice, cupping my cheek gently and leaning down to kiss my forehead. A shock went through my body as she did this and I resisted the urge to pull her down onto my lips. "Come on," She said, putting her arms around my neck and helping me to sit up

"Up you get," She grunted and hauled me upwards. I groaned and she apologized over and over. With a final tug, I was up on my legs, leaning heavily on her as she dragged me over to the front door of the café.

Won't it be locked?

I asked her silently in my head. She pushed it open and no alarm went off.

She glanced up at me "I live here," She said, answering my silent queries. Wow. Never saw that one coming.

She led me through the large room of empty, dark tables and round the back of the counter. She sat me down in a comfy leather chair and flicked on a small desk light. The counter lit up and illuminated her face beautifully.

Her face was so perfect; heart-shaped, framed with strands of long, luscious brown hair. Her eyes were truly gorgeous though, deep brown irises stared into my green eyes as she inspected me.

"They messed you up big time," She muttered angrily and got up to grab a few items from a cupboard underneath the desk. She flitted into another room, out of sight and came back moments later with a bowl of water and a J-cloth.

She grimaced as she saw the amount of blood covering my shirt and jeans and face. She sniffled and shook her head, dipping the cloth into the clean water and bringing it up to my nose.

"This might sting, sorry," She winced as I flinched when the cold water dashed over my cuts, soothing them instantly and making it easier to breathe. She mopped and dabbed for several minutes until the water was a dirty crimson colour and I felt clean and calmer. Thankfully, I didn't need stitches.

"I'll get you some water…or do you want something else?" She asked politely. I shook my head defiantly holding my hands up. I couldn't accept anything from her, not after all her kindness. I didn't want to push my luck. She smiled slightly and got up from the plastic chair opposite me and went to empty the dirty bowl.

When she came back, she sat a tall glass of water beside me and gestured for me to drink. I sighed before picking up the heavy glass and bringing the rim to my lips. I took a tentative sip before chugging it down into my system, hungrily gulping the refreshing, tasteless feeling that was sliding down my parched throat.

I cleared my throat a few times when I had downed the whole thing.

"I'm Bella by the way," The angel said from in front of me. I had forgotten she was there and raised my eyes to meet hers again.

Hers held sympathy and something else I couldn't work out.

"What's your name?" She asked curiously. I paused before opening my mouth. I was going to tell her I was called Anthony - my middle name - but she seemed genuine so I spilled the beans.

"Umm…Edward," I croaked out, my throat still bloodied and swollen. She smiled and it lit up my world. She was so gorgeous and kind and I wanted a chance with her. But I crushed that dream before it went too far. She would never go for someone like me. A street rat.

"Well Edward, you are welcome here as long as you eat, get better and tell me a little about yourself," She bargained fairly enough. I sighed and hesitated before speaking again.

"Okay," I sealed the deal. She smiled again and it was definitely my new favourite thing. I wouldn't lie to her about me, but I wouldn't tell her everything. Yet.

"Good!" She beamed and leaned forward in her chair. "So, would you like something to eat or are you ready to hit the hay?" She asked tentatively. I shook my head and looked down, playing with the bloodied hem of my shirt.

"Come on, you choose - late night snack or bed?" She pressed, giving me a solitary smile. I sighed and raked a hand through my tangled mob of hair.

"I don't mind," I said honestly "But…you don't have to offer me anything, you've already saved my life," I said quietly, shifting awkwardly in my seat under her scrutinizing gaze.

"Well, I couldn't leave you out there - that would have killed me," She mumbled and got up. "Come on, let's get you a bed. You need to rest up and regain your strength," She said bossily. "I'll get you some Aspirin and more water and then you can have breakfast if your up to it tomorrow," She said kindly and offered her hand to help me up. I took it silently, not wanting to argue with her, as she led me to a door on the left side of the café that led to a set of wooden stairs.

We stumbled up them together, her supporting my weight and we finally reached the top. We were now standing in a living room that looked small, but cosy. One sofa occupied one wall and bookshelves stood in another. This girl liked books.

There was a artificial fireplace on the main wall with pictures and ornaments covering the mantel.

"This is home now for you, okay?" She demanded and looked at me pointedly. "Sit wherever you want, use whatever you want and eat whenever you like - fridge is fully stocked 24/7," She laughed and took my hand, leading me down a narrow passage that lead to a bedroom. It was quite spacious with a double bed along one wall and more bookshelves on another.

"You sure like books," I mumbled gesturing to her bookshelves. She laughed.

"Yeah, I take after my mother," She sighed fondly and clicked on a bedside lamp. "I'll just get you some clothes," She said before flying over to a chest-of-drawers and rummaging for a few moments. She pulled her hands out of the drawers, clasping a pair of dark sweats and a white t-shirt and holding them out to me.

"Oh no, you don't need to offer me clothes," I mumbled and looked away. She huffed.

"Edward," She walked up to me "Please take them - I want you to be comfy," She mumbled the last part. I relented once again, feeling like a jerk. She pointed to the bathroom and offered me a toothbrush, razor and shower. I declined all of them, but she insisted. I decided to leave the shower, concluding that was going too far, but had a quick shave in the sink and brushed the grime from my teeth.

I pulled on the clothes and found that they fit me perfectly and wondered if she had a boyfriend. I pushed open the door to the bathroom which led into the bedroom and found Bella sitting on the bed, wearing a tank top and shorts. Her legs were gorgeous and she wore no bra. I had to tear my eyes away in the end, blushing like a goon.

"Here, you sleep here, I'm taking the couch," She said brightly, standing up. Hell no.

"No! I am not going to push you out of your own bed!" I exclaimed and pulled a horrified face. She merely laughed and took my hand again, pulling me over to the bed.

"No worries," She said, "I want to help you Edward, even if no one else does," She murmured quietly and stroked my knuckles with her thumb, soothing me. I made a split second decision.

"Stay, with me I mean…we can…share?" I fumbled out quickly before I lost my nerve, "I…I won't do anything but it's either you stay or I take the couch," I gulped and looked at her. She had her perfect smiled gracing her lips again and sighed softly.

"Alright, but hands to yourself chuck," She tapped my chin and crawled over to the other side of the bed and dived under the covers. She looked so young, so playful and oh so tempting. But, I would be keeping my hands to myself as promised. She patted the space beside her, fluffing up the pillow.

"Come on, come rest," She crooned sweetly. I don't think she meant it to sound seductive - but her voice sent chills of pleasure up and down my spine. I slid under the soft covers and relished the feeling of the memory foam mattress beneath me.

"Holy mother of God," I sighed with pleasure as Bella giggled softly beside me.

"We will talk about all this tomorrow," She promised. I nodded, resting my head hesitantly on the soft pillow and gazing at the angel beside me.

"Don't you have a boyfriend?" I asked, gesturing to the clothes I was wearing. Bella blushed furiously. I just found another thing I liked very much. The blush went straight to my cock and it twitched for the first time in a very long time.

"No," She mumbled, embarrassed. "They're my brothers spare clothes for when he comes over," She explained and snuggled further down under the duvet. I nodded as I clamped my legs together to try and stop my hard-on, but it was difficult and so teasingly painful.

This gorgeous woman had me in her bed, trusting me, and I wasn't going to ruin that out of the greediness of my dick.

"Goodnight Edward," She mumbled sleepily as my eyelids drooped, the heavenly pillow cradling my head. Before I fell asleep, I swear I felt soft, silky lips pressing a sweet lingering kiss to my forehead, but I dismissed it and let sleep claim my tired, weak body.

End Notes - Well, he never got his Aspirin, but he didn't seem to mind. Who likes Homeless-ward? I do!

You may unbuckle your seatbelts…until next time ;)