WARNING: The following story contains violence, coarse language and mature subjects. Readers discretion is advised.

Disclaimer: Roses are red, violets are blue. I don't own Twilight, so please don't sue!

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Christ it was hot. I reached up with one hand still on the wheel to wipe the sweat dripping down my forehead. We had the Jeep's windows opened fully but even the wind was hot. It blew against my face like steam and my eyes burned even with my sunglasses on. Was it the weather or lack of sleep that made me feel this way? I blinked repeatedly and kept my eyes on the barely there two laned road.

It was practically deserted on the Ungana* highway, which led north. Only a few 4X4's zoomed past us, giving me a relief with a burst of cooler air. But as soon as they passed it was back to steam. The northern part of Tembo Bara held a small portion of the Sahara Desert which was where the little village of Tenga* was located. How the people lived with this suffocating heat was amazing. But I supposed they had got used to it after a while, kind of like Jasper who looked quite comfortable with the map on his lap and his arm hanging out the window. Bastard grew up in Texas so it figures he'd feel right at home with this weather.

Surrounding the Ungana highway was orange sand dunes, bald shrubs, dead grasses, odd shaped trees and rocky grounds. It was a sight to behold, even when you passed randomly placed signs that warned you to keep to the speed limit. Like there were any cops hiding out here in the dunes. Animals were hard to spot out here since most lived in southern Tembo Bara, including the famous elephant herds. But I did see a few vultures flying over head in those ominous circles. A bad omen?

"Ugh!" Emmett's loud groan came from the back seat. "It's so fucking hot!"

"No shit," I laughed, looking into the rear-view mirror. My eyes rested on Bella who was leaning against her door and staring out into the desert. She'd taken her sunglasses and baseball hat off after a few minutes on the road, keeping them in her lap instead. I watched closely as the wind played with the wisps of hair that fell into her face before she tucked them behind her ear again. My fingers clenched on the wheel as I turned back to the road. Focus, Edward.

I heard Emmett's groaning again and the sound of Mamun slapping him on the back. "Hold in there, big guy," Moony chuckled and Em just grunted in response. I grinned, my eyes going back to the rear-view mirror to see Emmett's face but instead I caught something else that made the grin fade from my face.

Bella shifted uncomfortably and crossed her legs while clearing her throat. She was embarrassed because of the asshole sitting next to her. Newton was openly staring at her, his eyes no where near her face. I gritted my teeth and sucked in a quick breath. I wanted to pull this damn Jeep over, get out and kick his ass but I stayed calm and breathed before looking back at the road.

"You know, Newton," I began calmly. "You might become better at your job if you actually kept watch outside the car rather than staring at Miss. Swan's legs."

There was a silence in the Jeep before Emmett went into hysterics, even Jasper was chuckling lightly, and I couldn't help but check the mirror again. Newton's face was beat red and he had moved as far away from Bella as he could with his nose sticking out the window. Bella had brought her hands up to cover her pink face before she put on her sunglasses and hat again to hide. Smirking I looked back at the road, feeling good about myself even though I knew I was acting childishly like Emmett.

"Burn!" Em laughed, dragging the word out for a while before his booming laughter slowly got quieter. He sighed and we were silent again.

It was only a few minutes longer until Em spoke again. "I'm bored as shit," he said.

"That doesn't make any sense, Emmett," Mamun contradicted.

"What doesn't make sense?" he asked, actually confused. I rolled my eyes before focusing on the road again.

"How can…well…" Shit, Mamun. Just say the word. "That. How can that be bored?" Ooo, so close to an actual swear. We'd break him one day.

There was a pause. "Fuck! I dunno! It was a figure of speech!" Em cried.

"Exactly," Moony said.

There was silence in the Jeep as Emmett thought it over for a minute. He sighed finally, announcing he'd given up without saying anything. We all knew what it meant. "But really guys. I am so fucking bored!" he moaned. We didn't answer him and it took a minute before he spoke again. "What about a game?"

Jasper and I groaned. "Not 'Who Would You Rather' again," Jazz said. "The last time we played we found out something I never wanted to know about you Em."

I agreed by nodding and shuddering at the memory. It was something I never wanted to explain or think about again. The mental picture Emmett gave us all was something that made me almost lose my lunch. It had to do with sex, a much older woman and Emmett. I wouldn't recommend looking into it.

"Not that game!" Em said. "I'm talking about 'Name That Singer'. That way Bella can play too."

I flinched at her name and my eyes went automatically to the mirror to see her look up in surprise. "Me?" she asked in that soft voice of hers.

Emmett sat forward in his seat, folding his large arms on the back of her chair and nodded as I turned back to watch the road. "Sure," he said. "Unless you don't want to play…?"

"No," she answered. "But…what's the game about?"

"It's basically naming the singer or band of a song," he said. "One person names a song and someone else guesses who made it."

"Oh," she breathed. "Okay. Sure."

I heard the clap of Emmett's hands as he rubbed them together. "Great! I'll go first," he announced. He thought for a moment before I heard him laugh. "All right. My song is 'Can't Get You Out of My Head'."

"Kylie Minogue," Jazz and I said at the same time.

"Yup," Em chuckled. "And damn that girl is fine!"

"Have you ever seen the video for that song, Em?" Jasper asked, turning in his seat to see the back.

"No…" he answered slowly. "Why?"

Jasper just smirked and turned back around to look at the map again. "No reason," he muttered.

"What?" Emmett prodded. " What?! Is she naked?!" Jazz and I shared a knowing look before we went back to our respective tasks. It gave Emmett an answer. "Jesus! So that's why Rose never showed me the music video…"

"Moving on!" Mamun called loudly and peeking into the rear-view mirror and I noticed his hands over his ears. Poor Moony. Too damn proper to listen to anything he saw as rude.

"Right, Jazz. You're turn," I said, taking charge of the game. Another car passed giving me a blast of cooler air. It felt good against my sweaty skin and I revelled in it while Jasper thought up a song.

"Okay," he said, folding up the map and tossing it on to the dashboard before turning in his seat. "'Wanted Dead or Alive."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Bon Jovi. Are you serious?" I asked as I grinned at him. It was just like him to choose a song that had 'I'm a cowboy' in the lyrics.

"Hey!" he said with a fake look of hurt. "That song is awesome. Don't diss Jon Bon Jovi, man. That was the first song I learned to play on my guitar."

"All right, all right," Emmett called from the back. "Moving on. Damn Ed, you're pro at this game."

I shrugged. "Music is a passion," I answered shortly.

"Right, it's your turn," Jazz said.

"Naw," I said and when they started to protest I talked over them. "Go to Moony first then come back to me."

"Fine," Emmett said after a sigh. "All right, English. Lay it on us."

There was another pause. "'Devil Woman,'" he said cheerfully after a moment.

"Oh!" I cried, tapping the wheel with fingers as I remembered the song's tune. "I know this one!" I hummed it to myself as the singer's face came into my mind. "Damn. I can see him!" Everyone else seemed clueless and Mamun looked like he was proud for stumping everyone. Finally it came to me. "Cliff Richards!"

"Richards?" Emmett laughed. "Wasn't he the sixties?"

"1976," Moony said defensively. "And there's nothing wrong with Cliff. That was a good song."

"Right, right," Em laughed again. "Eddie bo beddie, it's your turn."

I rolled my eyes and sighed loudly before thinking of a song. I remembered back to my old childhood bedroom where I kept a wall full of CDs and records. I could almost picture my finger skimming along the sides searching for a name. And then it came to me and I knew I would stump them.

"Okay," I said. "Made in the eighties and it's a Canadian band. The song is 'Innocence.'"

I'd done it. They all looked deep in thought but completely clueless, other than Newton who still had his nose out the window and Bella who was staring at her lap. Maybe there had been another reason why I chose the song, I thought while staring at her.

"Damn," Em muttered. "I have no fucking idea."

"Jazz? Moony?" I asked. There was no answer and I chuckled, victorious.

"Harlequin," came a small voice.

I was so surprised I swerved the Jeep a little. It was Bella who had answered. And she was right. I looked in the rear-view mirror for the hundredth time to see the blush on her cheeks. "What?" Em asked, sitting further forward.

"The band," she muttered. "Its called Harlequin."

We were silent for a while. Until I could feel all their eyes on me. "Well?" Emmett prodded.

I swallowed and rubbed the sweat from the back of my neck before answering. "She's right."

"All right, Bella!" he laughed loudly. "Looks like we got two little music experts."

I cleared my throat and squeezed the steering wheel again, trying to forget about what he just said. "Jazz, is this the turn off?" I asked instead and he fumbled with the map before nodding. Without saying anything I turned the Jeep to the right and on to a dirt road that held a sign declaring it was the way to Tenga. The rest of the ride was in silence and I didn't look into the mirror again. I knew that if I did, I wouldn't be able to look away.

The dirt road we turned on to was much bumpier so none of us were able to talk for a while. The Jeep bounced up and down and from side to side making steering a little more difficult than before (thank God for four-wheel drive) but I kept a steady grip on the wheel with a large smile on my face. It was every little boy's dream, to drive a big car through a bumpy terrain and bounce up and down in your seats while the engine roared in protest. It was what I had day dreamed when I was young and my mother took me and Alice to the park. I'd sit in the sandbox with my many toy cars and trucks and pretend I was driving through the deserts, then I move on to the grass and dream of jungles with exotic birds and animals, just like that G.I. Joe did. Maybe that was another reason why I joined the Navy.

Tenga suddenly turned up when we bounced over the last sand dune and started in on flatter ground. The little concrete buildings made up a small town but it was in the middle of no where. The barren landscape went on for miles so the only way these people could travel was by car or maybe mule or horse, although it would take a while. They really were isolated but for a village it was quite large with two story buildings surrounding the main (and only) road through the town. There were a few animals hanging around like dogs, mules and a few scattered chickens in a coop.

I drove right up to the end building and parked the car before turning off the engine. We all rolled up the windows before getting out the Jeep. As soon as my boots hit the sand I was on guard. My eyes searched the area around the Jeep but all I could see was some curious eyes of a little girl from a window on the second story of the building we parked next to and those few animals hanging around. But in my mind there was always danger. Was there anyone who was a danger to us in that second story window? Was there people waiting for us, ready to do us harm? You just never knew.

Slamming my door shut I walked around the front to meet the rest of the team including Bella who looked a little out of place with her vest and camera hanging around her neck. I looked away from her, focusing my mind as I looked at the guys who waited for their orders. "All right," I said. "Em and Newton are staying here to watch the Jeep." Emmett's grin faded and he swore under his breath. I knew he hated when he was on guard duty. He liked to be out in the action but I needed him to keep an eye on the car. You didn't know how sneaky these people could be. They could attach a bomb to the undercarriage in less than a minute and when you turned on that Jeep, BOOM! Plus we had weapons inside. Newton was guard duty because I didn't want him messing up anything else and Em would keep him in line. He was scared shitless of the guy. "Jazz and Moony, I want you two to start on the left side of the street and ask people if they've seen anything or know anything that can help us. Take note of everything just in case." They both nodded. "And I'll take Miss. Swan up the right side of the street." I wasn't letting her out of my sight. Who knew what kind of trouble she could get into.

"You got it CO," Emmett said with a mock salute before everyone went to the Jeep's trunk to get their weapons. I followed after them, with Bella on my heels, her face curious but hesitant at the same time. I grinned at her as we reached the back to see the guys loading up the rifles and checking that they were all in good condition. Bella's eyes were wide and her face was sort of pale as if she were in shock. "Never seen a gun before?" I asked her as Jazz tossed me a rifle.

She flinched as I caught it, as if it was going to go off or something. Then she got defensive. "Of course I've seen a gun before," she said.

I chuckled. "Television and pictures doesn't count," I told her before taking a handgun from Emmett and bending to strap it against my thigh. I even had a knife inside my boot. After checking and securing all these weapons I reached into the backseat and pulled out my belt that held a lot of things including a walkie-talkie, flashlight, NVGs and binoculars. You could never be too prepared.

Fixing my sunglasses I dismissed Jazz and Moony, watching them walk towards a small stall where an old woman was sewing fabrics together. Em and Newton went to their posts against two corners of the Jeep leaving Bella and I alone. "Right," I muttered, wiping my forehead of sweat. "Let's go." She nodded and together we started down the right side of the street, my rifle held tightly in my hands and my eyes shooting back at forth.

This street was occupied mostly by shops that sold clothing and food like meats and sparse vegetables. There was people walking around the streets watching us openly as Bella and I walked by. I guess we looked kind of odd especially when I had a gun in my hands and she was busy snapping pictures on her fancy camera. Although the people stayed away from us there were a few stray dogs that seemed interested in us until we passed another meat shop or I gently kicked my foot in their direction. It was easier to keep eye contact with people under my sunglasses since they didn't exactly know I was looking in their direction unless I turned my head. When I did they would look away and go back to work. All the stores were open with just a tarp of colourful fabric giving them some kind of shade. The butchers were the worst smelling since that meat was sitting in the sun all day with insects and even dogs sniffing around it. Not so appetizing to me.

At the end of the street we were approaching there were a few kids running around in the sand beside a large brick wall. It wasn't until we got closer that I realized they were playing a soccer game with four large rocks used at the goal posts. Their ball was dirty and nearly deflated but they kicked it with all their might, yelling to each other in their native tongue as they quickly passed it back and forth. On the sidelines there were two little girls with scarfs around their heads and a smaller boy who looked depressed. I wondered if he wasn't allowed to play.

Bella immediately made a beeline for the children watching the game, crouching and waving to get their attention before snapping pictures. I followed her quickly; my eyes scanning around their little makeshift soccer field, searching for some kind of threat. But all seemed at peace so I watched Bella making funny faces and trying to get them to smile. The girls giggled, playing nervously with the scarf's covering their mouths as they stared at the camera with curious black eyes. The boy looked a little more interested, sitting up so you could see his bony little legs and his dirty face.

There was a shout and my head shot around just to see the soccer ball come rolling towards me and hit my foot. The boys that were running to get it stopped immediately and hesitated when they saw whom they had hit. Their eyes were large, some of the boy's black hair falling into their faces. I looked down at the ball that sat at my feet and hesitated.

"Come on!" Bella cried in exasperation. "At least kick the ball back to them, for God's sake. Can't you do that?" She had a patronizing tone in her voice and I gritted my teeth in annoyance. Looks like little miss shy was actually quite outspoken when she wanted to be. Little did she know that I grew up playing soccer, joining teams and clubs since I'd been young. I wouldn't call myself a pro but I knew a few tricks.

When I was sure Bella was watching I put my boot on top of the ball and let it slide backwards, flipping the ball upwards so I could bounce it off my knee. It worked perfectly since I'd been perfecting that trick since I was ten and I was able to hit it off both knee's before lightly kicking the ball back into the play. The boys took the ball, shouting something that sounded like a thank you before going back to their game.

When I turned to grin triumphantly at Bella she looked a little shocked. But she quickly composed herself and turned away from me in a huff before going back to snapping pictures of the little group off to the side. I chuckled lightly before watching the soccer game again. Even though my eyes were on the soccer ball, my second senses were watching what was around us. Any danger and I was sure to pick up on it. It's what I'd been trained to do.

There was an uproar of cheers as one of the boys kicked the ball past the goalie who dived into the sand to try and catch it, ending up empty handed. I couldn't help but grin as they high fived each other like any kid I've known did back home did. "Goal," I muttered to myself.

"Go-lah?"

Surprised I looked down to see a one of the boys who was defence on the other team looking up at me with confusion in his dark eyes. I didn't understand what he was trying to say and I shook my head in confusion. He pointed towards the opposing teams net where everyone was still celebrating before saying that word again. "Go-lah?" he asked.

Then I finally understood. "Goal," I corrected him and he grinned, his front two teeth missing.

"Go-lah!" he said louder. Well it was as good as it was going to get, I decided before nodding. His black eyes lit up and his smile grew before he took off to the group of boys. He was shouting to them before he got their attention and then he spoke rapidly. I heard the word 'go-lah' in there a few times and he was pointing towards the net. Suddenly they all picked up on it and a cheer of "go-lah, go-lah" went around.

Well would you look at that? I taught a kid some English. It was sad to see how clever some of these kids were, that they could just pick up a word right then and there. I was sure that these kids would love to go to school when I used to hate it. You never know how much you love something until you lose it.

Bella looked surprised too but I just motioned for her to get up. Her surprise turned to annoyance and she took her sweet time before getting up, dusting off her knees and waving goodbye to the children she was taking pictures of. We left the soccer game; the cheer's of "go-lah" still going on as we walked back down the street. She didn't speak to me and I could tell that it annoyed her that I proved her wrong and made her look like a fool. I could see the blush of embarrassment on her face as she looked away, her frown deep and her brows furrowed over her sunglasses. I could just picture how icy her gaze would be right now. Damn proud woman.

I could see Jazz and Moony talking with the owner of a butcher's shop, Mamun in a deep conversation where both he and the civilian were using awkward hand motions. We passed them and Jazz nodded to me before going to back to watching Moony's back. Good ole' Jasper. I could always trust him.

I was still walking towards the Jeep when I stopped. I felt alone for a moment before I turned around to find Bella crouched and taking pictures of a toddler who had wandered over to her. She was easily a few feet from where I was now standing which meant she had stopped and let me wander on. Damn it! Didn't she know how dangerous this place could be? Did she have no reason to live?

Growling obscenities under my breath I stomped back over to her. She didn't notice me until I'd grabbed her forearm and tugged her upwards. She stumbled in surprise before righting herself and glaring down at my grip on her wrist. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she snarled, trying in vain to yank her arm away.

I gripped her wrist harder and pulled her closer so she could see how angry I was. She squeaked in surprise at how close our faces were. "Do you want to stay alive?" I asked her through my teeth.

She tried to pry my fingers off her arm but my grip was steady and her little fingers couldn't do anything to make me let go. I was angry and I wanted her to know it. What if she died on my watch? Didn't she know the guilt that would consume me for the rest of my life? "Stop manhandling me!" she cried. "I demand some respect!"

I barked out a laugh without humour. "Respect?" I asked her. "You want respect?"

"Yes, I do!" she shouted back at me.

"Fine!" I said, letting go of her arm and bending down quickly. In no time and strain for me I had her up and over my shoulder. She gasped in surprise and before she realized what was happening I was walking down the street towards the Jeep. There was a moment of silence before she started beating her fists on my back and kicking her legs. "Let me go!" she yelled. "Lieutenant! I will report you to your superiors if you do not let me down and apologize this instant!"

I chuckled. "You go ahead and do that, princess."

She growled in response and continued to kick and hit my back, which wasn't really making any progress for her escape. In fact, it felt quite nice. Well actually everything felt quite nice. When I'd picked her up I accidentally let her shorts ride up so that my hand was now resting on the back of her thigh. It was warm and soft and it brought very X rated thoughts to my mind including my lips and her legs. I had to fight to make my hand stay innocently where it was and not creep up her leg. And then there was the fact that her vest was pressed up against my back and I cursed it for being there. If she didn't have it I'd probley be able to feel her breasts. I knew she wasn't busty but she wasn't flat either. Forgive me for the Goldie Locks quote, but she was just right.

I was both relieved and depressed when we reached the Jeep to find Emmett picking at his nails and humming to himself. He looked up when we came around the corner, looking confused before a huge grin came on to his face. He laughed loudly and Bella snarled, pounding on my back some more. "Well, well, Eddie," he chuckled, coming over to us as I stopped by the Jeep. "What you got there?"

"A respected woman," I said with a grin as she smacked me on the back again.

Laughing Emmett unlocked one of the doors and went back to his post before I turned and opened the back door the Jeep. Bella was in a large rant about how much trouble my whole team would be in for treating her this way but I just ignored her and tossed her into the back seat. She huffed when she hit the seats but quickly found herself and crawled up to attack me. But she wasn't quick enough. I had closed the door and was leaning against it as she tried the handle repeatedly with no luck. She wouldn't be able to unlock any of the other doors so it was obvious she was stuck inside. She realized that and started shouting at me through the closed window, banging on the part where my back was leaning. It was all going to deaf ears as I waited for Jazz and Moony to return. After a few moments she gave up with a muted scream and it was silent again.

I felt very triumphant as Jasper and Mamun came around the corner, looking very glad about something. "What's the report?" I asked when they reached the Jeep.

"A few of the people have given up some information," Moony said cheerfully. "They say that there is a certain symbol the collectors use. They've drawn out it out for me." He showed me a piece of paper with a drawing of an X with an eye in the middle. "They're too proud not to show it on their vehicles. I think we have a very big lead now."

I took the paper, staring at it for a moment before stuffing it into my pocket. "Great job guys," I congratulated them. "I'm supposing they had to be paid off though?" They both nodded. Well it wasn't like we didn't expect it. The people needed the money and their lives were on the line if the terrorists found out they were giving up their secrets. They deserved the money for bravery. "You did well."

They both grinned but Moony's smile faded when he looked behind me. "Why is Miss. Swan so angry looking?"

Everyone looked, including myself, to see Bella sitting in her seat with her arms crossed, her seat belt on and glaring at her lap. Geez, I really must have pissed her off. Maybe the whole respect joke wasn't such a good idea, although I could never deny that I did enjoy our 'walk'. "She's fine," I muttered, turning back to the guys. "Just something I said that set her off. Some sleep and a shower will change her mood." Particularly if that shower and that bed has myself in it as well. No more dirty thoughts! "We should head back. We got another hours drive ahead of us."

They all nodded before going to put our weapons away in the trunk. I did the same and we all took our usual spots in the Jeep while Emmett rolled underneath to double check for any odd objects that may be bombs. When he gave the all clear we were packed up and driving down the same dirt road, back to the Ungana highway.

It was surprising but we had spent a good few hours in Tenga. Time just seemed to fly by when were walking around the village, especially with Bella beside me. I glanced up in the rear-view mirror to see her glaring out the window. I guessed I wasn't going to be forgiven any time soon. At least Newton still knew his place.

For the next hour's drive Emmett started another game that both Bella and I opted out of. I was too lost in my thoughts and worries that she wouldn't forgive me. I was even more worried about that than I was about her tattling on me to the Commander. What the hell was wrong with me? For years my job was my number one priority and just suddenly it changes? I didn't feel comfortable with that. I didn't like change like this. I needed to push away those thoughts and focus on the tasks at hand. She was just fucking woman after all.

So by the time we had entered Port Italia's crowded city streets at 1900 hours* the guys had been through over fifty different songs in Em's game. "All right," he said. "Last one. 'Animals'."

"Nickelback," Jazz answered in a bored voice. It had got old after half an hour and twenty-five songs. We all seemed to thank God when I pulled into the SEALs base.

The sun was setting slowly to the west leaving the eastern part the city under a velvet sky with streaks of gold from the glowing orb that was disappearing. The boiling heat we had suffered from before was fading but it was still hot even at night, the sand bellow our feet radiating the warmth the sun's rays had dropped on it. As soon as I had parked the Jeep, Bella was unbuckling her belt, throwing her vest off and charging towards the SEALs office. She did all of this was a determined, angry looking expression on her face. Whoops.

They all looked at me, oblivious to the reason why she acting that way, other than Emmett of course. I sighed before shaking my head and turning off the Jeep. "I'll handle this," I said, pulling my vest over my head and handing it to Jasper. They all changed to looks of doubt. Swearing under my breath and wondering how I had got myself into this position, I jumped out the Jeep and jogged towards the open doors of the office.

The whole second floor was probley still at work but Gianna the receptionist was just locking away the files in her desk when I entered. She was probley going home and she looked happy but when she spotted me she giggled. I grinned uneasily before squeezing past her desk and down the hall to the Commanders office. I began to believe that maybe Bella hadn't gone to his office, but as I got closer I could see her sitting in one of the chairs. Damn.

Deciding to be as polite as I could be I knocked on the door before entering. "Lieutenant!" Highland laughed, waving me in. "Come in! Have a seat."

I did so on the chair beside a very straight-backed Bella. She wasn't looking at me so it didn't look too good. "I hear from Isabella that your mission went smoothly," the Commander went on to say, leaning back in his seat, at ease unlike myself.

"Yes, sir," I said with a nod before digging in my pocket and pulling out the drawing Mamun had given me. "One of my men was able to get a civilian to draw the terrorists symbol. They say that it is used frequently."

He reached forward and took the paper from me, staring at the symbol from different ways. "Very interesting, Lieutenant," he muttered. "A fine find." He smiled to himself before putting the paper on the desk and folding his hands on top of it to look at us. "So, Miss. Swan," he said, turning to the attention to her. "You never told me how your day was. These boys treating you well?"

I held my breath while I waited for her answer. It was surprising enough to learn that she didn't tell him right away but I knew she was just bursting at the seams to rant on about me. She wanted to him to know what a bastard, ass hole, douche bag, anti feminist, rude dick I was. She wanted him to fire me right away and maybe even send me to a camp to learn more about respecting women. She wanted an apology where I would grovel on the ground and kiss her feet while every Navy SEAL laughed at how stupid I looked on my knees begging for forgiveness from a journalist. She wanted me to tattoo "Does Not Respect Women" on my forehead and laugh as I went around trying to ask ladies out before being turned down by every one of them. She wanted me to burn in a pit of Hell fire for the rest of…

"It was fine, Commander," she said sweetly.

Jesus Christ! What did she just say? My head whipped in her direction to see her calm and collected. She hadn't tattled. She hadn't said a peep or was this just a set up? Maybe she told him before I got here. Maybe he already knew and this was the start of my punishment by making me think I'd got away with it while I was just digging a hole for myself.

"That's great, Isabella," he said cheerfully and really truthfully. "Because if you didn't get along I couldn't send you to a different team. Remember we talked about that?" He laughed to himself and she chuckled half heartedly with him.

So that's why she hadn't sold me out. If she said anything bad about us she would get a one way ticket back to Washington losing this big story. This must really mean something to her. Wow. A very dedicated woman. Maybe I was wrong not to respect her.

"Well now that you've finished this, I can tell where you'll be staying for the night," he said, pulling out a folder of papers from his desk drawer. Since the SEAL base didn't have any place for bunks or sleeping quarters we were usually given a hotel room to stay in. We all knew there was only one hotel in all of Port Italia and it was very fancy and highly guarded. It was also the tallest building in the city with fifteen floors. A few government officials were staying there at the moment, needing the security from the people. "So, you'll be staying at the Hotel PI for the next few days since the president is going to need as much guard as he can get. I want you all rested and ready for tomorrow. I need you on Market Street tomorrow morning at 900 hours, sharp. The president's motorcade comes down that street at noon and I need it clear and safe for him to pass through by the time his plane lands. Can you do that?"

"With pleasure, sir," I said with a fake smile. With pleasure my ass.

He grinned, seeming to believe me before standing to shake my hand. "Thank you, Lieutenant." The folder of papers was given to me before he leaned over and shook Bella's hand as well. "See you at 900 hours."

"Yes, sir," I said. "Good night, sir."

"And to you," he murmured before I turned to leave. Bella was faster and she was down the hallway in a flash, not even looking my way. I sighed, rubbing my eyes as I trailed after her. I really needed a hot shower and a warm bed. Thank God I was getting it tonight.

After explaining to the guys what was happening and getting still no more looks from Bella, we headed off for the hotel. Emmett was excited since he heard there was a twenty-four hour buffet there. Idiot. He always thought with his stomach or his dick. Either way, it usually led him to disaster.

By the time we reached the hotel parking lot it was night around us. The guards patrolling gave us looks, watching our every move as we all grabbed our duffels that held a change of clothes and the essentials in it before going to the lobby. It felt good to know there was someone other than ourselves watching our backs. Mamun and I took care of the man at the front desk as he handed us our room keys and wished us a pleasant stay. He looked scared stiff of us but at least he tried to smile. I was glad we were given two rooms instead of one because sleeping in a bed while Bella was in the same room would be nerve racking. The hotel room was like any other. A bathroom with a shower, toilet and sink, a cupboard and dresser that held a small television set and two big beds. There was a door that joined us to the other room and a balcony that looked over the city. I decided that I wanted two people to stay awake for a few hours before waking someone else to take their place. Like I said before, you could never be too prepared.

Emmett still wanted food so he took Newton with him to go downstairs and find something to eat. Mamun decided to put his feet up and flick through the television. Jasper went to take a shower in one of the bathrooms while Bella ignored me some more. Depressed, I went into the other room and took a shower myself. The warm water was soothing against my sore muscles and the complimentary soap made me feel cleaner than I'd felt in days. I swore I must have taken at least an hour in there before I finally stepped out and got dressed. Just as I was buttoning my pants I realized I forgot to bring a shirt in with me. Groaning in annoyance, I threw the towel around my neck and stormed out the bathroom.

I froze when I got into the room again. Bella was the only other one in the room and she was searching through her duffle bag on the bed. She looked up when I opened the door and her actions stopped as she stared at me. We stared at one another for a while before I cleared my throat nervously. Was that opened mouthed, wide-eyed face a good thing or not? Did she like what she saw? I swallowed heavily and mumbled something about getting a shirt before squeezing past her into the other room where Mamun was napping on the bed and Jazz was just coming out of the bathroom.

"Dude," he chuckled. "What's up with you? You look like you just saw a ghost."

BPOV

Holy shit. Jesus Christ. Mother Fucker, what just happened? I kept my back against the bathroom door with my heart flying in my chest and my duffle in my hands. What I saw had to be a dream, right? A shirtless Edward Masen did not just walk out of this very bathroom…right?

But it seemed so real. The way his shower darkened bronze hair clung to his forehead and the pink that tinged his cheeks and the vibrant green of his eyes all had to be a dream. The way his strong shoulders were built and his arms gleamed with steam all the way down to his long piano fingers had to be apart of my imagination. There was no way I was able to see his thin body, flat chest and killer stomach that you could grate cheese on. It was all made up in my horny mind when I saw that drip of water slowly making it's way down his ab's and past his happy trail to joy land. Damn he looked fine in those cargo pants that hung below his hips accentuating his perfect V.

Ugh! I was unconsciously licking my lips while I stood in the bathroom, alone with the man who starred in my sexiest dreams in the other room. I was supposed to hate him! He was a completely egotistical, conceited ass and he deserved to be fired for mistreating a woman! But God damn it if I wasn't attracted to him.

Shit, I was going to Hell. Well, I thought. If I had Edward there with me then let me burn baby. Let. Me. Burn.

x_x_x_x _x_x_x

Slang:

1900 hours – 7:00 pm

900 hours – 9:00 am

Locations:

Tenga – Village in this chapter. Means "separate" or "isolated" in Swahili.

Ungana – Not a real high way. Means "unite" in Swahili.

Author's Note:

1. If you can't picture the deserts they're driving through, search Highway Mauritania – Part 1 on YouTube. It's how I pictured it just with the team's voices in the background. :D

2. I've been taking this slow because I've just got an idea for an actual novel. I'll tell you right now it's a fantasy and a romance. I really like the idea as well as my idea for a screenplay (cough) Rob should be in it (cough). So I might, in the future, post little snippets of that story on my LiveJournal (see profile for link). But not to worry, I won't give up on this one! I still love my SEAL team! Never abandon your brothers (even if I'm a girl)!

3. Yes, I added a little of Bella POV at the bottom there. I thought she needed to discibe to the readers how beautiful Eddie's body is. (grin) The 'grate cheese' thing is from a Stephen Colbert episode where he talks about David Beckham. Ever seen Becks shirtless? That's pretty much how Eddie looks from his feet to his neck. Not that Rob's body gorg, cause it is, but I love Roberts face even more. The eyes are to die for!

4. Hey! Guess what! School is starting up again and guess who's going into the twelfth grade? Oh yeah! She rules the school! Can I get a hell yeah? (readers yell hell yeah) That's right! So that also means my education is coming first and writing is second. So it might take me longer to finish chapters, I dunno how tough my teachers'll be this year (other than my Yearbook and Computer Technologies teacher. He's awesome.) So yes. I'm sorry if you'll be bored without my stories. Leave me some love and remind me to keep writing. Lmao

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