Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. No copyright infringement intended.

AN: This has been circling in my head for a while. This if my first Fireward fic and I am sure I will get a few things wrong, so please bear with me as I learn. Thanks goodness for Wikipedia.

She walked between the rows of desks spouting out spelling words and making sure her second grade class wasn't cheating.

"Spell attack. Jared don't attack Emily with your pencil." She explained in a sentence while also reprimanding one of the boys.

When the spelling test was complete a knock on her door indicated it was time for recess. "Alright, line up by the door, please. Mr. Crowley is going to take you all out for recess."

The kids clambered to line up in a boy-girl fashion. When they were calm she opened the door and smiled at her fellow teacher. He grinned back and led the kids down the hall to join his class out on the playground.

Once she had shut the door, she collected the test papers and sat down with a sigh at her desk. One week left until summer break and then she would begin her summer job. Looking down at her attire, she couldn't wait to exchange her dress slacks and blouse for jeans and T-shirts.

"Miss Swan?" A little voice said beside her. She hadn't even heard the door open.

"Yes, Emily."

"My Mom wanted me to give you this," Emily handed her an envelope.

"Thank you, you can go back and play now." She chuckled as she watched little Emily McCarty shuffle off back to the playground.

She opened the envelope and pulled out the letter from her older sister.

Bella,

Emmett and I are going to Felix's tonight and were hoping that you were going to be there. Charlie is keeping Emily overnight for us. Emmett wants you to meet his cousin, who just transferred from another department. You remember Edward, right? Hope to see you there.

Love you,

Rosie.

Great, more match-making on the part of her sister and brother-in-law.

**HH**

He walked into the fire station and took a look around. Not much difference between this one and his old stomping ground. He set his gear down and walked to the chief's office. He knocked and chuckled at the gruff greeting, before pushing open the door.

"Edward Cullen reporting for duty, sir."

The man looked up and wore a grin to match his son's. "About time you got here, boy." Carlisle stood and grabbed his son in a hug.

"Good to see you too, Dad."

Carlisle sat back down and indicated for Edward to sit as well. "How have you been Edward? Are you settling in okay?"

"I'm good dad. I have an appointment to look at an apartment this afternoon and then Emmett and Rosalie are taking me down to the local watering hole."

"Ahh…Felix's. Yeah, that's a great place. Rose's sister works there on the weekends and in the summer when school lets out." Carlisle explained.

"Rose's sister? She's only like eighteen, right?" Edward wondered.

"Wow, Edward, you have been gone a while. Bella is twenty-two and teaches second grade at the elementary school. She's actually Emily's teacher."

Edward thought back to when his cousin married Rosalie Hale. It had been a fun time. Jasper, Rose's twin, had spent most of the evening keeping all of his firefighter buddies away from his little sister.

"I remember, now. Jazz was hilarious trying to keep Newton and Hunter away from her." Edward chuckled.

"Yeah, well, now Bella gets pissed when Jazz does it, because now Emmett joins in. Poor girl, she has had to keep her dates a secret from both of them. Not that she gets many. Those two guys have intimidated any man that even speaks her name." Carlisle sighed. "Well, come on. I'll get you set up and then see you back here on Monday morning."

Edward followed his dad out and picked up his gear as Carlisle showed him a place to stow everything. He introduced him to some of the guys on the crew that he didn't know. He couldn't wait to get settled in and back to work.

**HH**

"Emmett, come on. We have to get Emily over to Charlie's and then to Felix's. Jasper and Alice are meeting us there."

"I'm coming Rose. Keep your pantyhose on." Emmett walked down the hall to his daughter's room. "Hey, baby. Are you ready to go see Grandpa?"

"Yes, Daddy." Emmett watched as Emily packed up her coloring books and crayons and grabbed Mr. Bear and leaped into his arms.

Emmett carried her down the stairs and handed her to Rose as he bent down to pick up her overnight bag. "Is Bella going to be there?"

"I don't know. Probably." Rose said as she followed her husband out to their car. After placing Emily in her booster seat, Rose climbed in and thought about her little sister.

Bella was her half-sister. When she and Jasper's father died they had only been two. Their mother Renee had struggled raising twins on her own until she met Charlie Swan. Renee had always said it was love at first sight. They had been married and by the time that Rose was five, Bella had been born. She loved her sister and had carried her around the house and played with her like a doll. Charlie had doted on both his girls. Rose had never felt like a step-daughter. To her and Jasper, Charlie was their father.

Emmett pulled into the driveway and Rose got out getting Emily from her seat. She laughed as her daughter ran to where her Grandpa was waiting on the porch.

"Grandpa!" Emily squealed.

"How's my girl?" Charlie asked, as he picked her up and nuzzled her. She giggled when his mustache tickled her.

"Thanks for keeping her, Charlie." Rose said giving him a hug.

"Hey, we're gonna have fun. You and Emmett go enjoy yourself. If you see your sister, tell her I expect all of you here on Sunday for dinner."

"Yes, sir." Rose gave him a mock salute.

"See you tomorrow, sugar. Be good for grandpa. We love you."

"Bye daddy, mommy. Love you!"

Emmett and Rosalie got back in the vehicle and headed to Felix's.

**HH**

Bella walked into Felix's at quarter to eight. She wasn't surprised to see the place almost packed. She spotted her brother and sister-in-law at a table and waved as she ducked under the bar.

"Hey Felix. Looks like a busy night." She greeted the owner.

"Yep. You think I could talk you into singin' tonight?" Felix smiled down at her as she attached an apron to her waist.

"Felix…" She groaned.

"Come on Bells. The house band is here. You know how much Demetri loves it when you sing with 'em."

"We'll see. I'm gonna get to work." She smiled knowing that he would probably convince her.

She walked to her brother's table and smiled when she saw Em and Rose and joined them. "Hey guys. What can I get ya?"

"Hey sis. Just bring us a pitcher of whatever is on tap. Bring an extra glass too, please." Jasper ordered looking around the table for confirmation.

"You got it. Be back in a minute." Bella shuffled off to get their drinks. Ducking back under the bar she noticed her ex walk in. She couldn't hide her groan.

"What's the matter, B?" Kate, one of the bartenders asked her. Bella just pointed, as Jake made his way over to the bar. Kate just nodded.

Bella filled her order and grabbed a tray. She stuck everything on it and then headed back over to her family's table. She met Rose's eye and did a head nod in Jake's direction letting her know that he was here. Rose nodded once and picked up her beer that Jasper had poured her.

Bella wandered from table to table, getting drink orders and laughing with a few of the regulars. She had just made it back to the bar when Jake cornered her.

"Hey, Bells. How you been?" Jake slurred.

"What do you want Jake? You know Felix doesn't like it when you come in already drunk." Bella tried to move past him.

"Oh, come on baby. Don't be like that."

"JACOB! Back off!" A voice yelled behind them.

Bella turned and met the emerald gaze of Emmett's cousin, Edward. She smiled gratefully.

"Cullen, mind your business." Jake slurred again.

Felix came around the bar and grabbed Jacob's arm. "What'd I tell you Black? Huh? I told you next time you came in here and harassed Bella, you'd be out. Now get out of my bar, you're not welcome anymore." Jake wrenched his arm free and stumbled out the door. "You all right, Bells?"

Bella nodded. "Thanks, Felix." Bella turned and saw Edward had been joined by Jasper and Emmett.

"You okay, little one?" Jasper asked his sister.

"I'm fine, Jazz. You guys go sit and I'll bring you another pitcher."

"Hey Bells? Is the kitchen open?" Emmett asked hopefully.

Bella laughed, "Yes, Em. I'll get you the usual."

Bella went back to the bar and told Felix that Em wanted some beer-battered fries. Felix nodded and headed to the kitchen. Bella had just filled the pitcher and was halfway to the table when she heard Demetri and the rest of the band start in on her signature song. She set down the pitcher and smiled as she walked to the stage.

**HH**

Edward had just joined the table when Bella brought out another pitcher. He heard the house band start up some music and Bella headed for the stage. He looked at Jasper, "Is she going to sing?"

"I guess. She does sometimes." Jasper explained.

The room quieted, when the sweetest voice he had heard began to sing.

I can stand with the weight of the world on my shoulders
I can fight with the toughest of the tough
I can laugh in the face of all my insecurities
Anytime, anywhere, anything, I'm strong enough

But when you're holding me like this
I'm carelessly lost in your touch
I'm completely defenseless, baby, it's almost too much
I'm helplessly, hopelessly, recklessly falling in love

So let consequence do what it will to us, I don't care
Let the stars stand as witness to it all
Say the word and tonight I will follow you anywhere
I just can't pretend anymore, I'm too sturdy to fall

But when you're holding me like this
I'm carelessly lost in your touch
I'm completely defenseless, baby, it's almost too much
I'm helplessly, hopelessly, recklessly falling in love

I am not afraid
I am not afraid

'Cause when you're holding me like this
I'm carelessly lost in your touch
I'm completely defenseless, baby, it's almost too much
I'm helplessly, hopelessly, recklessly falling
(Helplessly, hopelessly, recklessly falling)
I'm helplessly, hopelessly, recklessly falling in love

When the final notes drained away and Bella hopped off the stage, Edward and the rest of the bar began whistling and clapping. He watched as her cheeks turned an amazing shade of pink.

"I didn't know she could do that." Alice said to her fiancé.

Jasper laughed. "She doesn't like to. Felix and Demetri usually back her into a corner or give her no choice. Demetri saw her and started the music, knowing she wouldn't let him down. She'll probably do it one more time before the night is over."

Edward looked over to where Bella was laughing at a table with another group of firemen. They were from one of the other stations. Edward didn't understand the pang of jealousy that he felt.

**HH**

Bella breathed a sigh of relief when Felix called last call. She began wiping down abandoned tables and pocketing her tips. She laughed when she saw some of the folded napkins with names and numbers on them. Every weekend the same guys came in and hit on her. She was amazed that they were still walking, with Emmett and Jasper around.

"Hey Bells!" Felix hollered.

"Yeah!"

"I'm closing up. Tell your family to get the hell out!" Felix guffawed.

She laughed and walked to their table. "Hey guys, Felix is closing up. You ready to head out?"

"Yep, we'll go settle up." Emmett stood and Jasper and Edward followed.

"Bella, how are you getting home?" Alice asked. She and Bella had been college roommates. Bella had brought her home on one of their breaks where she met Jasper. It was all over for both of them and they had been inseparable ever since.

"I walked over, so I'll walk back." Bella explained.

"I don't think so, Isabella Marie." Jasper said from behind them.

"Jazz. Don't start playing the over protective brother now. I'll be fine. It's only a couple of blocks." Bella complained. Jasper eyeballed his sister and Emmett joined in. "Come on guys, I'm a big girl."

"I can walk her. I walked here myself," Edward volunteered.

"Edward, you don't have to do that. I don't need an escort." Bella complained.

"I don't mind Bella. My apartment is a couple of blocks away." Edward explained.

"Fine. I still have some stuff to do. Go sit at the bar if you want, I can get you another beer."

Bella hugged her family as Edward said goodbye. He said he would see them all on Monday. He followed her over to the bar where he perched on a stool as Bella poured him a drink.

"Hey Felix!"

"Yeah?"

"Emmett and Jasper are being weird so Edward is gonna walk me home, okay?"

"Sure thing. Finish up and get out of here!" Felix hollered as he started to wash the dishes.

Bella wiped down all the tables and stacked the dirty glasses in the pass through so Felix could add them to the wash. Once she was done with all of her work, she hollered out to Felix again.

"Felix, I'm out!"

He came around the corner, "Alright, Bells. See you tomorrow."

She waved and followed Edward out into the warm evening air. Once they were outside, Bella wondered what to say. She turned in the direction of her apartment, knowing that he would follow.

"So what have you been up to? I haven't seen you since Rose and Em's wedding." She started.

"I lived in Seattle for a while. To damn wet and cold up there. So I moved back to the warmth. I like North Carolina. The beach is only an hour away, my family is here. What have you been up to? You sure have grown up since I saw you last."

Bella blushed at his words. "Well I went to college and got my teaching certificate while I worked part time at Felix's. Once I graduated and got a job, I told Felix that I would work one weekend a month and on summer break unless I tell him otherwise."

"Wow. That doesn't leave much time for fun." Edward chuckled.

Bella scoffed. "Oh, please, Edward. Jasper scares away any guy that comes around and Emmett helps. I mean I work in a bar that is a fireman hangout. The only men I meet are the ones that work with them."

Edward just laughed as they continued to walk. Bella stopped in front of a duplex and looked at Edward. "This is me."

"You're kidding."

"No why?"

"Well, this is me too. I guess we're neighbors."

Bella and Edward smiled at each other as they walked to their doors. "Goodnight Edward. Thanks for walking me home."

"Night Bella and you're welcome."

They both went inside and closed their doors, each of their thoughts lingering in the other.

AN: Well, I am going to rate this M for language, but only because I am paranoid. I promise I am not going to forget about Game of Love, but I had to get this one started. Leave me some love….