A/N: YAY! I have a beta! Thank you SO much to 'MrsEdwardCullenP' for helping me :)
DISCLAIMER: Nothing's changed since the first chapter...I still do not own anything 'Twilight' unfortunately.
BPOV
Over the past month nothing really had changed as far as the constant complaints, but really now it had just become part of my everyday life. The townsfolk weren't going to let up and that was something all of us at the station were obviously had to come to terms.
One thing that had changed was the attention I got from Chief Hunter. He was right when he said the people from the Seattle PD might contact me. The first call came from Edward Masen - the same one that had called to offer the department's condolences all those weeks ago; the day after the Chief had called me into his office He was very professional like the first time we spoke and made it clear that they wanted Charlie's file. When I firmly stated the file was staying here in Forks, he rudely hung up on me. I didn't care; good riddance maybe, but I made my point and it was over. To be honest I didn't want to deal with it. It was probably wrong of me but I would rather believe my beloved father died peacefully.
But it wasn't over. The next day, Edward called again apologizing for his rude behavior and stated that he was having a rough day and took it out on me. Surprisingly he didn't ask about the file or Charlie that day; we just idly chatted about nothing for a few minutes before ending the phone call. He called me at work every day after that but never asked for anything. I was getting used to our short conversations and everyone in the station knew it.
Ever since I turned down Seattle's PD request to help me them in getting Charlie's file, Chief Hunter's behavior had changed. I found a cup of hot coffee on my desk every morning, offers to take more breaks during the day or to just leave early if I wanted and a five dollars raise per hour. The Chief wasn't one who really paid attention to his staff and he sure wasn't known to give compliments or raises willingly. Everyone at the station noticed his new behavior toward me, but to my surprise, nobody held anything against me and work for the most part went on normally.
Yesterday I woke up with the biggest headache of my life, a runny nose, and sore eyes. I was not one to ever really get sick other than a few sniffles here and there, a few mild headaches every now and then, so I just chalked it up to work stress and my new found infatuation for a certain someone I had never met. After calling in and letting Officer Colt know I wouldn't be in today, I went straight back to the recliner that I knew I would be living in until I felt human again. There was a knock on the door around noon and since I had no strength to get up, I just called whoever it was to come in. To my surprise it was Lauren who walked into my living room, carrying a huge bag for Trusty Mart and a medium size vase of wild flowers in her arms. She was the younger sister of Jessica's who I graduated with.
"Geez Bella. You look like shit," she said, as she set the flowers on my coffee table.
"Thanks. Not that I don't appreciate it, but what are you doing here?" It was probably no secret in this town that I was sick, but it still didn't explain for being here especially with all that stuff.
"I'm filling in for you at the station and James wanted me to bring you all this stuff." She waved it off and started taking stuff out of the bag, but something caught my attention.
"James? Since when does anyone dare to call him that?" I witnessed someone slip up once and it wasn't pretty. I guess some people got off by having their egos stoked.
"Since I sucked him off this morning," she stated matter-of-factly. I wasn't surprised. I kind of always knew the rumors about her were true.
"Oh."
After stuffing me with medicine and making sure I had everything I needed, she finally left. I was dosing off on the chair, when my cell started ringing. I didn't have the energy to lean forward and grab it from the coffee table so I just ignored it and prayed it would shut up already.
I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew was that someone's warm hand was on my forehead. In my daze, I lazily swatted it away, but it wouldn't move. When I managed to open my eyes, I found myself staring into bright green eyes.
"Um, hi?" I said with a scratchy voice. Damn, my throat too!
"Hello, Bella. You look beautiful."
I knew that voice. Oh my god, please no, no, NO!
The smirk on his handsome face said otherwise.
FUCK!
"Don't tease me, Edward. I don't feel good." I sighed and closed my eyes again, hoping to go back to sleep and forget that the first time I met him face to face, was while I looked like shit and he looked like a freaking model.
"I'm not teasing you sweetheart," he said as he made himself comfortable on my couch, throwing an arm on the back of it while putting one ankle on his knee.
Damn, he looked sexy. I should have kept my eyes closed. "What are you doing here? And how did you know where I lived? How did you know I was sick?"
"Jesus, woman. I got worried when I called the station this morning and they told me you were out sick. I've grown used to our daily conversations." I tried to ignore how my breathing picked up with his last sentence.
"Oh. So, you drove three hours to come and check up on me?"
"How about 'Thank you Edward for coming all the way here for me,'" he smirked. When I didn't reply he continued. "Yes and no. Yes, I did come to check up on you I would have come into town soon anyways; you being ill just sped up the dates a bit."
"Why were you planning on coming into town?"
"Nothing you need to worry about." He replied.
"Edward, what's really going on?" I was too tired to play this game. Cue couching fit.
Once I finally stopped hacking and took a small sip of water, I turned and looked him right in the eyes, meaning business.
"What are you doing here?" I rasped out right before I let out a very unladylike sneeze.
He handed me some tissue from the coffee table. "You're sick. I came to see if you needed anything but it seems someone already had that covered." He gestured around the room where the flowers, cans with different soups, boxes of tissues, and chocolate bars sat.
"What can I say? My co-workers love me." I tried to smirk like he had but I was sure I failed to look as cocky as he had when he did it. Was I flirting? No, I wasn't…really.
"Oh, I'm sure they do," he said with too much disbelief in his tone for my liking. Even if I was sick I didn't want to be insulted.
"I'll have you know I work my ass off at the station and I don't like someone coming into my house…" Of course, I was cut off by yet another sneeze ending my rant. Damn it.
"Whoa. Hold on, I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry if you took it that way." He held his hands up in defense.
"What did you mean then?" I asked after wiping my sore red nose once again. I really needed some lotion infused tissues.
"Nothing, forget about it. I'll just go," he said and stood up. "I'll be in town for a few days so I'll stop by and check on you later, alright?"
"A few days? Why?" For some damn reason I didn't want him to leave.
"I have some things I need to look into- that's all. Don't worry your pretty little head about it. Just get better." He looked pointedly at me. Jesus, you would almost think he gave a shit.
"Where are you staying?" I knew there was nowhere in town that could put him up.
"I'm just gonna grab a room. I spotted a couple of motels on the way here."
"You can't."
"I can't?"
"Both of them are at full capacity. The construction workers are all staying in them so there's nothing available in town. There hasn't been a vacancy since they started."
"Oh," he replied and sat back down on the couch. He looked...not defeated and I didn't like it- not one bit, which was why the next words probably flew out of my mouth before I thought them through.
Maybe it was the cold medicine?
"You can stay here."
The expression on his face showed slight disbelief before he, once again, graced me with that damn smirk, making me wonder if he knew I was going to offer.
After going back and forth for a few minutes about it, he reluctantly agreed. It wasn't like I didn't have the space. My father's two story, three bedroom, and two bath house was plenty big enough. Edward thought it was inappropriate but I reminded him that if he was really worried about me then being in the same house would ensure I was taken care of. I am pretty sure that won him over.
That night, he insisted on taking care of me and fixing me some soup to eat. He even carried me to my bed that night and tucked me in. It didn't make me feel like a child, but as a well-cared woman from her worried lover. I know, I know- I am totally jumping the gun but whatever.
The next morning I felt a lot better and was going to try and get to work today. That all changed when I made my way to kitchen after my shower, to find Edward sitting at the table with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. He looked up at me as I rounded the corner.
"Why are you dressed and not in bed?"
"I am going to work today, but feel free to stay here if you want," I said as I poured myself a cup of coffee.
"No, you're not. You were on your death bed yesterday, you need to rest." He got up and took my coffee mug from my hands.
"Yes, I am," I said reaching for my cup.
"No, you're not." His voice was hard and sharp, only then did I notice the strong line of his jaw. I wonder if it always looked so hot or if it was only when he was being difficult and frustrated.
A knock at the door ended our stare-down. Fortunately or unfortunately I'm not sure.
Edward made his way to the front door like he owned the place and threw it open. Chief James was standing on the other side looking ten kinds of confused.
"Can I help you?" Edward's voice was not in the least bit nice.
"Who are you?" Chief asked.
"Detective Masen and you?" Detective? Why didn't I know he was a detective?
"Chief of Police, James Hunter," he said in his cop voice. "Which is your precinct?"
"Seattle."
Chief's shoulders instantly went rigid and his face started to turn into an unhealthy shade of red right before I saw his left fist make contact with Edward's nose.
I went straight through the living room towards them to try and stop the fight but they were both so much bigger than me and really going at it. Just as I reached them, Edwards elbow shot out behind him and right into my face. My very last thought before passing out was.
What the hell was going on?
A/N: So what'ya think? Still with me?
I also want to thank the ladies that took the time to review the first chapter...I honestly didn't think anyone would so it was awesome to put something out in the ff world and get a response :)
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