SORRY doesn't even begin to cut it, I know. I'm sorry, schoolwork and basically life got in the way. So, I'm posting now.

Thanks to the wonderful 92A.N.D.y10 who has graciously agreed to beta this story.

Thanks to everyone who waited for this chapter, and welcome everyone who is new.

Shakespeare Knows

EPOV

"Man! Damn the humans." Jasper said as we exited the lift.

"Umm…dude didn't you just hunt? How thirsty can you be?" Emmett asked.

"It's not the thirst. It's the fact that they are giving me a killer headache. It hasn't been a minute since we have arrived and my head is already exploding with the tension rolling off of our three newbies." He explained.

"Oh Jazz get your act together and let the humans be. It's probably just Bella's nerves rubbing off on the others. It is a big day for her." Alice said as we stepped inside our suite.

"I think it's already time for us to wake up." I said making air quotes around the word wake.

"True, I think everyone should get dressed."Esme said stepping into her room.

"Guys get ready!" Alice screamed, loud enough to be heard in all the three suites.

"Why do we all have to get ready?" Rose countered.

"True, aren't Bella and Edward the only people required to be there in the morning?" Emmett continued from where his mate had left off.

Even though technically, Carlisle, Jim and now Bella were the only people in the Institute, I had been giving presentations on behalf of Carlisle for three years now.

"I think you are right kids. Edward call Bella and tell her that her siblings need not come if they do not want to. Call Angela and Mason too. Jim and I will meet you downstairs." With that, Carlisle left the suite.

Just as I was walking to pick up the phone, it rang. I looked back at my siblings, eyeing the phone.

"Hello?" I said picking the receiver.

"Hi! Is it this Edward?" the angel's voice asked me. Keep your head straight man! I told myself off.

"Hi Bella; Yes it's me. I was just going to call you." Before I could say anything else Alice came around and switched the phone to speaker. All I could do was glare at her; she smiled back at me.

"Hey listen, I was wondering if Chris and Ben could stay at the hotel and meet us for the night function. I mean, if that's okay. Otherwise they'll just be tagging along…I mean how boring would that be after all?" since she seemed to be rambling I thought of putting her mind at ease.

"No that's absolutely fine. None of my siblings are coming either."

"But you are?" she asked simply.

"Yeah, for the past few years I've been giving the presentation on Carlisle's behalf. He and Jim will meet us in fifteen minutes. Think you can make it in time?" I asked teasingly.

"Of course I can. I bet you $500 I'll make it out of the suite before you do; you up for it Cullen?"

"Oh please! I have two sisters, so I know the amount of time you'll take. Bring it on Swan. Meet you in fifteen." She cut the line as soon as I finished my sentence.

"Who wins Alice?" I ask immediately entering my room to change.

""I'm not telling." Was the only answer I got, along with the Arabic translation of the Philippine's National Anthem, of course. The girl really loved National Anthems.

I was in and out in five minutes, taking my time, as I was quite positive that Bella would take time dressing up.

Finally! I haven't seen Edward so full of life in years! Esme thought. Confused, I looked into their minds to see how I looked to them. I was a little excited to see who wins, and maybe a little excited to see Bella herself too, but other than that I felt fine. Only I didn't really look the same. My eyes were wide open; I looked livelier, as lively as a corpse could look.

"You look like the male version of Alice." Jasper commented chuckling at me. I chose to be the better man and stepped outside to an empty sitting area.

"Huh, beat you Swan!" I said a little bit louder than required.

"Really, I don't think so." I looked towards the source of the sound and came face to face with Bella. She was standing on the terrace looking down at the street, with her face tilted towards me. In a pencil skirt and sky blue blouse with French pleated hair and high pencil heels; and the clear glasses tucked at the top button of her blouse drew my attention towards how well the top accentuated her curves. I had to gulp before I looked up to see her checking me out too. This realization made me feel like less of a creep for staring at her. Suddenly I felt self-conscious in my fitting trousers, white button down shirt and naturally tousled hair. No girl had ever had this kind of an effect on me; no one else had ever taken my breath away.

"Uh, hi! Wow, you really got ready real quick." I said dumbly, as she walked past me to the lift.

I followed behind. "Well don't feel too bad. A confession;" She turned towards me as we entered the lift. She cupped her hand around her mouth and leaned towards me, as if letting me in on a secret. "I had just come out and I thought it'll be cool to act as if I'd been standing there since Eve." She grinned like a kid.

"Well, even in the hurry you managed to look gorgeous as usual." I backed her towards the walls of the lift, then I put my hand behind her and pressed the ground floor button. "And it seems like you listented to me when I said I liked that color on your skin." I whispered in her ear. I had the satisfaction of hearing her breathing hitch. I pulled black smirking to see a profusely blushing Bella.

"Uh Thanks. You clean up good too." She gestured towards my attire, and then quickly stepped of the lift as we reached the floor.

"There you are!" Jim said as he walked towards us. "Your father just walked outside." He said, signaling us to follow him.

Bella and I walked towards each other at the same time, causing our shoulders to bump. I looked at her somewhat sheepishly, only to receive the same look from her. This caused us both to chuckle. I don't know from where I got the courage or the confidence to put my hand at the small of her back, guiding her forward. She went rigid at the contact, and I immediately regretted my spontaneous action. I was about to remove my hand when I felt her relax and further lean into my hand for support. She looked up at me with a smile so innocent that I got my breath knocked out for the second time this morning. It's a good thing that I don't have to breathe. I thought. I was sure my grin at her acceptance rivaled a teen who'd gotten his first kiss.

We settled in the back of the Mercedes while Jim sat in the front with Carlisle, who was driving. There was a comfortable silence as we sped off towards the auditorium.

After a while Jim spoke up. "Nervous Bella?"

"Like nobody's business, just don't remind me." She replied while looking out the window.

"Don't worry, it's gonna be okay" Carlisle gave his two cents.

"Yeah, no one's gonna bite you," Jim chipped in. Well we'll try not to. Carlisle thought. "The boys have been waiting a long time to meet you; they've been dying to know the 17 year old scientist."

"Oh swell! That's just what I needed." she muttered under her breath, but I heard her anyway. "How much longer before we reach the venue?"

"None actually; we're almost there." Carlisle replied pulling into the driveway.

"How many reports are there going to be? And who will be in the audience?" Bella's heartbeat sped as we parked.

"It's nothing to worry about. It'll just be the 50 scientists attending and there'll be just as many presentations." Jim informed her as we made our way into the venue after having given the car to the valet.

Her face was etched with worry, she didn't look like the girl who had broken a window and scaled a roof to get out of shopping, or had stood up to my vampire sister; she wasn't the confident Bella I'd seen up until now.

We were now in the seating area meant for scientists to have 'positive and constructive interactions' with each other before the event started. In my opinion it was rather a way of sizing up your opponents. You see at the end of every academic calendar, the Scientists International Association had this conference, the Research Institute with the most economically viable, environmental friendly, easily applicable and groundbreaking discovery or invention was awarded a handsome amount by the leading businessmen from all around the globe. Research and its equipments cost a lot, making this the most important event of the year. Not to mention the pride that came with it. All the thoughts revolved around winning…until we entered.

As soon as we reached the centre circle, all eyes fell on Bella; as had already been said, everyone wanted to see the 'novice' scientist that Forks had brought along.

"Hello, I don't believe we've had the pleasure to meet before. My name is Victor Doom. I'm the CEO of the New York Branch; we've been winning the title for the past 7 years. All this is just a formality if I do say so myself." Said a middle-aged man, standing with his arm stretched out towards Bella.

"Oh, is that so? Well you haven't won this one just yet." Bella replied with a smile that seemed forced, ignoring his extended arm. Everyone around was now paying attention to their conversation.

Even though she appeared calm as a shell, I could hear the entire ocean in her, her heart was beating faster than I thought a human's could.

So she isn't scared of vampires, but audience scares her? Carlisle thought to me. But I must say she is handling herself quite well. Carlisle had been the one to propose bringing Bella in, the others thought that her age and inexperience would be an obstacle amongst other scientists. He was glad to see this working out.

"Of course, who doesn't like a little competition for a win?" he replied giving Bell a once-over. "What did you say your name was, beautiful?"

"I didn't say." With that she turned on her heal and went to the last row to sit. The three of us followed her dumbfounded, while the others looked at her unblinkingly. Victor was particularly upset, he wasn't used to people standing up to him. Who the hell does she think she is, what could that measly town of theirs provide anyway? We are going to win this year too.

As soon as we were seated, Bella turned towards us. "He is way too high on his horse for my liking. Carlisle, can I wring his neck?" she said completely serious, as if really asking for permission. She sure looked like she could.

Carlisle replied just as seriously, "I really think we should leave that as a last resort, my child. No need for swords when the battle can be won by wisdom." He had given the same speech to Emmett more times than I could count; well not really, the count now was a thousand and twenty three.

Then all four of us burst into spontaneous laughter. Just then, the manager of the event came in, inviting us to the conference hall.

The event took place at the same venue every year. The place had another smaller conference hall to the east, a ballroom and hall, where the dinner and dance would take place later, and a handful of rooms- more like greenrooms- for everyone to change in between the functions.

The round table, more precisely oval table, was laid with microphones, a notepad, a pen and water and snacks for all the presiding scientists and their company was to be seated behind them. There were volunteers standing after every four or so spaces, whose job was to pass any messages intended for fellow scientists.

While we were being seated; a few others entered. As soon as the fan blew air in our direction, we were all but assailed by the odor of something so disgusting that I would have puked if I was human. Werewolf. The boy looked to be about 25, but he could have easily been a few years younger or elder, he stood at about 7 feet and wore the same disgusted expression as us.

What are werewolves doing here? Carlisle asked inspecting the new comer. Does Bella know him?

Confused by his question, I turned my gaze towards the person in question; and indeed she was looking at him very intently. That irked me for some reason, a lot. I guess I'm just worried, she does look very fragile, and in the presence of volatile vampires, no we don't need to take that chance.

He was just about to settle down when his gaze fell on Bella and recognition lit his eyes like fire in a forest. He started coming towards us. My, my Bella…oh my God!

Carlisle stiffened in his seat expecting a confrontation. Just as we were about to get up, Bella all but jumped from her seat. "Jake! Oh my God! What a small world… What are you doing here?" She hugged him.

"Well what do you know, you're representing Forks, I've come for Seattle." He replied releasing her from his grip, a thousand watt smile on his face.

"Damn, when did you grow brains? I had always thought that the attic was empty."

"Now you're being mean Bells. I'm just accompanying them. I'm not a big shot scientist myself."

"Oh, how rude of me." She suddenly explained, turning to face us. "This is Carlisle, his son Edward and Jim." We nodded our heads while Jim shook his hand.

"Nice meeting you, but now I should return to my seat. Keep in touch." He gave her a smile, us a glare and went to the opposite side of the table." He sat playing with some sort of medal-no medallion. With a start I realized that it was the same as the ones Bella and Angela wore. Strange. I'll have to come back to it later.

The proceedings were frankly quite boring. One by one they all gave their presentations. Some were on using other mechanical motions to move turbines for electricity generation, there was a hydro-powered helicopter, recombinant DNA and astrophysics were amongst the most common topics. Victor gave a presentation on seismographic studies of plate tectonic activities, nothing too great I'd say, but then maybe I was being partial. The entire time Bella had greatly influenced the atmosphere. By firing questions like an AK-47 during cross-questioning, she really lit up the entire scenario. Then there was us; Carlisle's work was on piggyback heart surgeries, Jim's on eco-friendly trains equipped with T-box motors and waste revival compartment, and Bella's was on using O3-carbons released by vehicles to feed plant prototypes which would in-turn provide oxygen. It was brilliant. There was no question during the cross-questioning that she wasn't able to answer.

It was finally time for the results to be announced. Everybody was waiting pretty anxiously, for the competition this year had been pretty close.

"I feel like I'm twelve again and am waiting for my drill results." Bella exclaimed bouncing in her seat. Frankly she reminded me a little of Alice, and that scared me.

"You do realize that you are technically still sixteen right? It's not really much of a difference." I pointed out, unable to hide my smirk.

Bella did the mature thing and stuck her tongue out at me. I let out a chuckle shaking my head, causing her to blush a deep red. But before we could continue our banter, the manager stepped up at the podium, his shadow marring the projection a Van Gogh.

"Well the moment has arrived. All I would like to say is that this year there has been some remarkable progress in the field of science; there have plenty new ventures and various tremendous works. So, without further ado, I would announce the 2nd runner up. The second runner up is Mr. Jin Chung from the Facility of China for his work on recombinant DNA. Congratulations sir. The first runner up is Mr. Victor Doom of New York for his work relating to seismography." Before he could even finish his sentence, Victor got up in his chair knocking it backwards; he sent a loaded glare towards Bella and stood waiting for there to be a clarification. In his head this was all a sick joke. Bella held his gaze, tilted her chin upwards and then sent him a defiant look and then ignored him completely as he stormed out of the room without a second glance.

Hmm… feisty, another thing to add the ever growing list of the mysteries of Bella Swan is.

"And now for the winner" continued the man on the podium, ignoring the debacle that had just taken place. "we have Ms. Isabella Swan from Forks for her work on oxygenesis. That is all for today, we hope to meet you the next year with some more magnificent works. Until then, take care." Bella smiled gracefully getting up and bowed her head to her applauding audience and then turned to us with a smile that all but tore her face in half.

"Do you plan on eating a banana sideways? It certainly looks like it from the size of the smile you're sporting." I teased congratulating her by shaking her hand, that's the maximum physical contact that could be allowed.

During the entire conversation, both dad and Jim were looking like they were trying to hide their smiles, well their thoughts went with it.

I don't think I've ever seen the boy smile so much.

It's been a really long time since Edward has been so lively, maybe a decade or two if not more.

Oh don't say a word. The ever perky Alice, when in the world did they get here?

"Hey, congratulations! I heard you blew the room away." Alice said dragging Bella towards the rooms.

"Let's just thank God not literally." was Chris' wonderful reply. Bella threw her a scowl and then being the mature person she is, stuck out her tongue like a five year old.

Everybody around cracked up. By this time, our entire families had joined us.

"Now, without any delay or protests, it's time to get dressed." Alice declared standing to face us in the middle of the hallway.

"OOHH...shucks, I would have never let the conference end if I knew that you were going to trap me in a dress at six o' clock. There are still two hours to go." Bella whined, pulling on a puppy face.

"Well how in the world would you have stalled?" Mason asked with incredulity. "Wait, on second thought, don't answer that." He was thinking something along the lines that she actually scared him; I was barely able to contain a chuckle.

"We can do this the hard way or the easy way. But you're getting ready. Now!" Chris said as she stood holding the door open for her.

Bella sauntered to the room, and we all followed her lead moving into our respective rooms. The ladies took a room, and we took the one across from them.

We guys chilled for a bit, watching some news and just laying around; passing the time. On the other hand, we could hear all sorts of commotion from the ladies corner. Poking and prodding and cursing, oh they were taking it seriously. Then when it was almost time for the event to begin, we gents got dressed and went to meet our respective 'dates' ; and I use the term lightly.

"So are y'all ready to go darlin'?"Jasper's Southern accent leaking through.

Everyone started moving to the ballroom. I was waiting for Bella to come out.

Oh wait till you see her, she is gonna knock your socks off. Alice trilled and then bounced out hanging on Jasper's arm.

And boy she did. With her hair pinned up, and very little makeup, adorned with some jewels, she looked beyond magnificent. But nothing she wore would ever outdo her natural beauty. The way she looked up smiling from underneath her eyelashes, was a feeling that I could neither comprehend, nor forget.

I smiled back and offered her my arm. once she accepted, we walked towards the ballroom too.

As soon as we entered the hall, all eyes were focused on us. "Damn just what I needed!" she muttered under her breath. Oh, so she didn't handle attention well. "Please do me a favor, and don't let me fall"

"Clumsy, eh? I would have never pegged you as clumsy, especially after the roof escapade."

"That would make a good movie title. I'm just clumsy when I really shouldn't be….so…"

"Don't worry, I won't let you fall." With that I dragged her onto the dance floor and started twirling her around, her hands on my shoulders and my hands on her waist.

"You usually ask someone before a dance. You just don't drag them onto the dance floor; now I know I'm new to this part of the country, but I'm pretty sure that rule still applies." She said with a smiling face and clenched teeth. It was like when Rosalie threatens us in public.

"Ahh… well, I'll just have to ask you the next time." I said smiling. I swear if I wasn't a vampire my face would have started hurting because of all the smiling I have been doing.

"The next time? What makes you think there will be a next time?" she raised her eyebrows at me.

"Well there will be. It's all in the leading." Leaving it at that, we continued dancing. I saw her catch the eye of Chris on a turn, who was dancing with Mason; and Ben's on another, who was there with none other than Angela.

We were all heading to our table when a waiter walked up to us. "Excuse me ma'am. But are you Ms. Isabella?" she merely nodded.

"I was told to deliver this to you." He handed her an envelope. Chris and Ben moved forward to inspect it.

"Who is it from?"

"I'm sorry ma'am, but I was given no name. Enjoy your evening." he left.

"Well what are you all so apprehensive about? Just open it already." Rosalie commented sourly.

Chris threw her a look, but Bella had already started opening it. Her eyes glazed as she read and then widened in horror. She stumbled back hitting the table, all the while muttering something too low for even me to hear. Chris and Ben surrounded her from both sides.

"Shakespeare knows. Shakespeare knows." She kept muttering looking around with panicked eyes, like deer caught in headlights. By now a lot of people had gathered around us. I stepped forward "Are you alright Bella?" she crushed the paper in her hand, tearing it a bit.

She just kept repeating the same words like a mantra, her knees gave out and she fell to the floor. Well, she would have if it weren't for the fact that I was holding her.

"Shakespeare knows." That was the last thing she said before she passed out in my arms.

There was panic all around, no one knew what had happened. All we knew was that 'Shakespeare knows."

Cliffy… I will be posting more regularly now onwards.

Please enjoy….and please please review…:)