Although his past consisted heavily of toying with people's emotions, he could not bring himself to understand Rosalie's point of view in the matter. How was this going to get them acquainted with the Chief?
"Chief Swan – "
"Please, Dr. Masen, call me Charlie." For obvious reasons, it looked a tad comical to Edward to see the Chief of Police wipe his brow. He obviously cared for his daughter. "What I don't understand is – Bella's been like this her whole life. Why now?"
"I looked at her medical records, I'm afraid that she's never gotten a blood test and hasn't had a routine check-up in ten years. I understand people don't like to visit their doctors for fear of bad news, but it's better to find something before it – "
"Look, Charlie, I think what Rose is trying to say is that she doesn't think there's anything wrong with your daughter. She's just concerned about her health. Her lack of coordination isn't exactly a concern, but there's nothing wrong with getting an MRI and a bit of blood work done."
"Dr. Masen – "
"Please, let's avoid informality and confusion. I'm Edward and this is Rosalie."
"Yes, I'm willing to have the work done on her, but I'm afraid I don't understand why you didn't see Bella personally – and why both of you had to come."
At this, Rosalie smiled brightly and laughed charmingly. Edward almost gagged. "Actually Charlie, we've been here for a month or so now, and we just finished settling in, so we wanted to get around town, get to know a few people. I'd also heard from a few others that Bella still lives with you, and I figured patient confidentiality doesn't apply to father-daughter relationships. I know how much parents care for their children." At this Rosalie paused briefly, and Edward soothingly circled his thumb on the back of her hand. This was a genuine gesture; not an act. This did not go past Charlie's notice. He figured they'd probably been having a hard time having kids.
"Thank you – for caring. You have no idea the kind of doctors I've met. I mean – I don't mean to speak badly of anyone – but – "
"We work with them. We know what you're talking about. Some of things I've seen, I'm surprised they get away with." Rosalie was a sweet-talker. She knew how to wheedle her way into things.
"What I'm surprised about is that the hospital has an untarnished record. Not a single malpractice lawsuit." Edward was slightly taken aback. He hadn't realized that the man would be so ready to talk shit about the local hospital.
"I understand completely. I've taken a look at their records – "
"I didn't realize they let new doctors look at these things."
Edward finally cut into the conversation. "Actually, we're with a special program that sends doctors to problem or understaffed areas. They provide us with the information to help us deal with problems. It's somewhat unfortunate that we've been unable to get the hospital administration unwilling to cooperate."
"I could pull a few strings, but I have to say I've never heard of such a program. What is the organization?"
"Saving Medicine. It's a melodramatic title and mission statement, but we take in complaints from patients and send doctors to the organizations – with or without consent. We were initially met with restraint at Mercy, but they decided that we could go in incognito. Makes it all the more fun." Edward grinned. Rosalie was good at the sweet-talking, but he excelled with creating covers and sounding exceptionally believable.
"Wow. So, they don't know you're here to diagnose the system?"
"No, and we hope to keep it that way."
"Of course, I won't give them a heads-up. I can help you if you like."
"Actually, that'd be great. Why don't we set up something after Bella's all cleared?"
"Yes, that would work."
Edward and Rosalie got up to leave, shaking hands and exchanging thanks with Charlie.
Back in the car, Rosalie smiled triumphantly. "I told you to trust me. I'm always right."
"Sorry, Dr. Masen, I bow down to your prowess and cunning."
"Thank you, Dr. Masen, but I have to give credit it where it's due. Amazing cover. Why didn't I know about Saving Medicine before this?"
"I just logged the information before we came in. It's set up with a fun fake website and credentials. I figured this would be an opportunity to get the Chief in on it. He was only all too willing."
"I assume it's because he's been there a lot with his daughter. He knows how terrible the emergency department is."
"Oh, have you had rounds there?"
"Yeah, I don't know how some of those doctors have been accredited."
"You know what's funny? The urology and nephrology departments are squeaky clean. All the physicians are great."
"They have to be for such a cover-up. It only makes sense."
The jolt of electricity provided by the meeting with Charlie was all Edward had needed to regain the motivation he needed. He woke up surprisingly chipper the next morning and found Rosalie the same.
"Bella has an appointment today." She grinned brightly.
"I assume you asked to be her primary?"
"Yep, I don't think she's ever seen her new primary anyway, so it's all good."
"Is Charlie coming with her?"
"No, I think her cousin, Emmett, I think, is coming in with her."
"Alright then, let's get going."
The day, though supremely boring in its own right, was still new for Edward. He stared at everyone with appropriate levels of suspicion and paranoia.
"Rosie, darling!" Rosalie widened her eyes and started walking in the opposite direction. He laughed raucously before following behind her.
"What the hell's wrong with you? I haven't seen you this fucking chipper in ages. Tone it down, will you?"
"Stop being nonchalant, babe, we're about to crack this case wide open and get out of this hell hole."
"Yeah, or it's just that Bella's coming in today."
On cue, someone called behind them, "Rosalie!"
"Bella! You're early."
"Yeah, Emmett was having a freak-out session. He didn't want to understand that this was just routine, precautionary. Big idiot." At this, a giant bear – or a man, Edward couldn't tell – ran into Rosalie at full speed, bombarding her with ridiculous questions.
"Calm down, sir. There's nothing wrong – and if there is, I guarantee it's nothing serious."
Visibly calmed down, Emmett took notice of the beauty before him. Rosalie seemed to like him, as well, but seeing it strictly against her principles, she showed no signs of it. "Thank you so much, Dr. Masen. I was worried – "
"It's perfectly fine. Besides, what's a day without having someone almost run you over."
"Yes, exactly. I'll be here to complete your day any time." He winked in an over-the-top manner.
Edward laughed loudly, thinking it the perfect to time to avenge himself for all the pain Rosalie had put him through. "Actually, I think I do a pretty good job of completing her day," Edward laughed once more. "Dr. Edward Masen, Rosalie's poor husband." They shook hands with Emmett looking slightly downtrodden.
"We're in an open relationship." Edward's head shot in Rosalie's direction. What the hell was she talking about?!
"What?" Emmett seemed to have no clue what she was talking about.
"Kidding," she laughed to show she really was. "People think that it's a bit shocking to see two incredibly beautiful people married, they think there must be a flaw in our relationship somewhere. I'm happy to oblige."
"I'm sorry, she did not just call us beautiful. You have to excuse my wife. Sometimes – "
"Sometimes she's just joking. Anyway, Bella, you want to head on into examination room. Let's get it over with."
Bella followed obligingly, shooting a few discreet – or at least what she thought was discreet – glances Edward's way. She didn't understand why she couldn't control herself. This was a married man. Of course Edward didn't help, he shot a wink Bella's way before being barreled over by what looked like a pixie.
Bella could not hear what went on after that as she was guided into the examination room. Behind her Edward struggled to breathe as he tried to push off the spiky-haired thing.
"Edward Anthony Cu –" The pixie could not get out the rest of her words as Edward had covered her mouth and pushed her into a closet. Immediately after, the two heard someone frantically bang on the door behind them.
"Alice, shut up. My name is Edward Masen. Do not now or ever refer to me as Cullen. We are friends – not cousins. You knew me in my university days and have never spoken to me since. End of story."
Alice stared. "I knew it! You never went to Julliard's did you?! You went to work for the CIA. I knew it. Why didn't you tell me?"
"It's not the CIA," Edward hissed. "I can't tell you, and I don't want to know how you guessed. Let's just give this a rest. Okay? Don't blow my cover. This is more important that you can imagine."
Alice simply hugged her beloved cousin before opening the door and stepping out. "Hi, Jasper, sorry about that. Edward thought I was being too hyper for a hospital setting."
"What?!" Jasper looked wary. He had been the one to band on the door while the two of them were in the closet.
"Oh, sorry. Jasper this is Edward, an old college friend. Our families go way back. I haven't seen him since." She smiled brightly.
"Oh, I had no – "
"Alice, let's get dinner tonight. I have to go – Dr. Iverson is here." Edward left, following an important looking man in a white coat. He left an excited Alice and a bewildered Jasper in his wake. Edward had not known that Alice had moved here last year. He should've kept in touch, but with his job it was hard. This might create a few problems for him, not to mention Rosalie was going to give him hell.