A/N: You guys never fail to amaze me.
FAQ: Is this a drabble fic? A: Ummmmm. It's a short chapter fic. Some chapters are shorter than others. Call it what you want. Q: Do you have a posting schedule? A: Not really. But most of you know me. I like posting SOMETHING every day if I can, so you can bet this will update like everything else I write: frequently.
She was Charlie Swan's daughter.
Of course Edward had heard all about Bella Swan. For the month or so in between Charlie knowing she was coming to stay with him and when she got there, not a soul in the police station - or probably the entire town of Forks - could escape his happy stories. He wouldn't shut up about her - the very picture of the proud Papa with his precious little girl.
She's not so little, the defensive devil on his shoulder tried to assure him.
He was defensive because he was guilty. He was guilty because he was... well... unreasonably fascinated.
Maybe it was how innocent and very young she looked as he watched her from across the station. The bruise on her face made him want to tear something apart. She looked down mostly, chewing her bottom lip nervously as Emmett asked her questions, telling him what she knew about the man who'd started harassing her as she left work that day.
Maybe it was the enigma of her personality. Right then, she looked fragile and not unlike a lamb that needed protection, but Edward had seen her fight. He'd seen the ferocity in her gaze as she struggled with her assailant. Oh, it was true she likely would have lost, but not without taking her shots.
James Hunter had a bloodied nose that was all her doing and deep gouges at his arms and cheeks where she'd dug her nails in.
Tough for such a young girl. She was only 17.
Almost 18, the devil insisted.
As if hearing his internal monologue, she lifted her head. He didn't look away quick enough and their eyes met, locked.
One, two, three full seconds past. She blushed, but he still couldn't look away.
Then Charlie began to look over his shoulder, and Edward suddenly got very interested in his paperwork again.
Seventeen and the boss's daughter, he reminded himself.
Not that it mattered, of course. Why would it matter? He didn't want to do anything that would necessitate her being not seventeen and not Charlie's daughter.
A/N: Sure, Edward. Keep telling yourself that. Oh. For the record. Edward is 23.
