Ch. 2

Safe and Sound

Bella POV

I quickly glanced outside my window before rising. Outside was a one-story building that looked broken-down like it hasn't been touched in years. In the front was a sign on one hinge that said: Welcome to Sammy's Deli. No way could this be a building for this military like group.

Lost in my confusing thoughts as I tried to climb out of the huge SUV I suddenly tripped. I closed my eyes in preparation, but instead I felt arms wrapped around me. I hesitantly opened my eyes to see that Steve had caught me.

"You have a knack for falling around me don't you?" Steve teased as he slowly lowered me to the ground, "You might have to stay close just in case."

I looked away quickly before my face got completely red. God knows he saw me blushing enough over my clumsy self. As we reached the doors, I took a glance at him to see that he was blushing also. I inwardly groaned that of course I would find a hot guy that is just as socially awkward as I am.

We passed through the glass doors and I looked around wondering why Eye Patch would bring us here when he walked up to the register and punched a couple buttons. Suddenly the dusty deli case slid over to reveal a staircase that led underground.

I stared as Eye Patch started to go downstairs and waved his hand for us to follow. What was this some sort of spy agency? I shook my head at the clichés.

"If I didn't need protection, I would of turn around ages ago," I scoffed to myself as I followed. At the end of the staircase was an elevator that probably led even deeper into a secret base. Ding! Another cliché.

Pushing aside that I'm practically in a spy story or movie we gathered within the tiny little elevator. Eye Patch hit a random button and stood back grabbing hold of the bars.

"You might want to hold on." He warned. I widened my eyes as I felt my stomach suddenly drop. I launched myself at the bars before I could be lifted in the air fully.

"Are you kidding me?!" I shrieked, "Couldn't have a normal elevator. Just had to be super fast?"

Eye Patch just nodded, amusement shining in his one eye. Of course this would be funny to him. He probably gets off watching people slam into the ceiling. I also happen to notice that neither him nor Steve have any trouble staying rooted to the ground.

DING! The doors opened and I stumbled out as I noted another cliché.

"Finally!" I yelled in relief. I quickly quieted down when I noticed hundreds of men and women in black were looking at me suspiciously.

"Ignore them," Eye Patch said, "They're a bunch of paranoid fuckers."

"Of course," I said sarcastically, "I'm in a movie of Men in Black and I got to watch what I say around the agents."

"Men in Black?" Steve questions as we are led down a dark hallway. I mentally face palmed myself. Not surprisingly Steve would not know a thing about the movie.

"I'll tell you about it later and a whole list of other things." I discreetly whispered to him, "We need to catch you up on the stuff you missed in the last seventy years. I suggest you start a list."

"I look forward to that then Bella," He smiled brightly. My heart fluttered just a little bit.

Unexpectedly the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I felt my instinct telling me there was danger nearby. I whipped my head around thinking it was Edward when I met the eyes of a red headed woman in one of the doorways. My body shuddered and I quickly realized she was dangerous and I needed to be wary of her.

Her eyes never left me as I entered a small office. I watched as she smirked at me and suddenly sauntered off in the direction we came from.

"That was weird," I mused as I sat down in one of the office chairs. Steve just stood near the door. He looked to be in full attention in soldier mode. Maybe he felt the danger too from that woman?

"Now Miss Swan, I need to know exactly what your situation is." Eye Patch said in a don't-fuck-with-me-tone.

"Well, it started when I moved to Forks, Washington to live with my dad," I relayed as I went over the past year and a half. I told him about how I came to the conclusion that Edward was a vampire, how James tracked me down, how Jasper tried to eat me and Edward left because of it, and Italy.

"When I came back from Italy though is when I realized the truth behind Alice and Edward." I sighed.

"What did you learn?" Steve asked worry etched across his face.

"I happened to overhear them talking about how their manipulation was working while they thought I was sleeping." I explained, "They mentioned about how after the wedding, I would be easier to control. During my "honeymoon" Edward was going to start drinking from me and pushing his scent on me to sedate me so he can bend me to his will even more so."

"How would they get away with it? Wouldn't the rest of the vampires know?" Eye Patch inquired.

"I guess their venom can heal the bite wounds to make my skin look like I've never been bitten. I would be a walking puppet." I shrugged, "I just knew that they would stop at nothing to get at me so I jumped on the first flight without making any real decisions where to and ended up here in New York where I collided with Captain America on accident."

"You mean to tell me Bella," Steve seethed, "that they probably planned this from the start and the rest of them didn't know?"

"Yeah," I glanced him, "I also knew that they had an affair behind everyone's back. So no way would they let their "family" know of that secret."

"Miss Swan, I'm going to start out by saying I believe you." He said gravely.

"Really?" I asked finally relieved that I would be away from those two soulless two-faced bitches.

"Yes, because this isn't the first time we have came across vampires. Never to this extent of them manipulating a human before." He said before opening a drawer and dropping a huge file on top of the desk, "We were aware of this vampire royalty called Volturi since the eighties when some of our best agents almost didn't come back alive from accidently stumbling across their dwelling."

I gawked at the file for a second before opening it. Inside were the locations of all known vampires and their abilities, age, mates, and size of coven.

"This one hell of a file Eye-I mean Fury." I acknowledged, "I just have one question. How come I'm not in here?"

"Well Miss Swan, I now believe that the two vampires were shielding us from knowledge of you. The seer must of seen our surveillance scouts coming to watch them and took you out of the picture during our time there."

"How are we going to keep her safe?" Steve probed. I didn't think about that. It was obvious I now needed to be watched like a hawk from now on.

"Cap say hello to your new roommate." Eye Patch smirked.

Steve POV

I stared stunned at what Fury had said, "Pardon me sir, but what?" I sputtered.

"Miss Swan is now within your protection so from now on you will be living in an apartment together for the time being. We will set you up in a building where some of our best agents live just in case." He answered, amusement sparkling in his one eye. When I didn't say anything, Bella spoke up.

"I'm not sure this is the best idea," She said cautiously.

"Nonsense. Would you rather stay with one of my other agents?" Bella just stiffened likely remembering the woman from the hallway before shaking her head no. "Besides it will be beneficial for the both of you."

"How so sir?" I questioned.

"She will get the protection she needs and in return she can acclimate you to this new era." He said before grabbing the phone and dialing a number.

"Bella are you fine with this?" I asked politely, "I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"Such the gentlemen," I blushed, "I'm fine with it as long as you are. I'm real sorry into dragging you into being my protector when you just woke up."

"It's no problem Bella, I just want you to remain safe from those..." I trailed.

"Bastards?" She filled in smiling. I blinked not used to hearing a dame using such crude language.

"Well yes." I shifted nervously.

Fury hung up the phone and quickly turned to look us. I shifted back into attention ready form.

"In a minute someone will be down to extract you and place you in your new apartment." He explained, "I believe he will be very pleased to see you Cap."
Just as he said it a knock came at the door. Fury bid them to enter and a disheveled, lanky man came strutting in.

"Sorry Fury for my delay. I would be here earlier if it was for all the principal duties I had to do after the kids were left out." He explained taking his side. He eyed Bella quickly analyzing her before turning his attention to me. Immediately his eyes lit up.

"Captain America!" He shouted excitedly. He reached across the table with his hand and I shook it, "It's such a pleasure to work with you after I watched you in your sleep."
Bella chuckled at his statement causing a look of realization to dawn across his face.

"I mean-" He said before Fury cut him off with a cough and stern look.

"Coulson." He warned causing him to gulp.

"Right then! Should we get a move on with it shall we?" He said as he led us out the door.

"Let me guess," Bella started, "You have all of the Captain America vintage trading cards?"
"Yes I do! Is that a problem?!" He defended before arguing about how collectible they are and how it took him ages to find them all.

"I have trading cards?"