BULLETPROOF

Twilight and its characters belong to Stephanie Meyer

Again thank you all for your support of this story, inspiration has been very much driven by your comments and reviews.

I cannot say that the updates will continue as rapid as they have been this week, but at the moment I am motivated by this story.

To those of who have asked, I give you…Carlisle!


Carlisle walked out his office ensuite having washed all remnants of the would be assassins blood from under his finger nails. He was furious, there had been no intelligence that the member of his staff was in anyway linked to any enemies of either himself or his family.

He had contacted Italy and London once the body had been removed, to rant at the respective areas responsible for maintaining the safety of himself and his patients. When he had finally spoken to his uncle he had broken down as the stress and realisation that he might have lost, may still loose, Edward who had been collateral damage in the fire fight.

Edward! The beautiful young man currently in his guest room. Carlisle would never have thought he would fall for a young man ten years his junior, someone who was so talented and wonderful, but also so innocent in the ways of the world.

Carlisle had first met Edward Snr in London at a hospital charity gala that Edward Snr was attending on behave of his employer. It was a good five years ago and they had been paired up by chance, discovering that they had similar tastes in music and art. Edward Snr had talked about his talented son with exceptional pride, and while Carlisle did initially think it was simply a parents over enthusiastic embellishments of their child talents, Carlisle had performed searches online for the, at the time, 13 year old child to find that Edward Snr's praise of his son had if anything been restrained.

Over the years Carlisle and Edward Snr had met on a number of occasions, most significantly when Edward Snr was given control of the Cullen family investment portfolio. The pair soon became friends and most conversations would include an update on young Edward's development, plans for the future and a father's concern over the young man's introverted nature.

o.o.o

A couple of years later Carlisle was presented with an opportunity to work in the USA; keen for a challenge he accepted the position. One of his first contacts was Edward Snr who he needed assistance in locating and purchasing an apartment that met his needs. Upon arrival in New York he was disappointed to discover that Edward Snr was in Europe on business.

Not wanting to attend his first function alone, he contacted an old fuck buddy Felix. They had been at school together and had often caught up for company and release when they were in the same city. This night they were just friends, despite the looks the Carlisle received from both men and women.

There had never been any question about Carlisle's sexuality, Carlisle Cullen was openly gay. Indeed his parents had never had any doubt in the matter, and it was only when Carlisle had left for University had he discovered that his experience was easier than most. There had been no anxiety, no dramatic coming out speech or hiding play girl magazines; when he had approached his mother about it she shrugged and pointed out that Carlisle's younger brother Jasper, "didn't have to announce he was straight, so why should Carlisle have to declare his sexuality."

Tragically both of his parents and his brother were killed in a car accident a month later.

It was at this first function that Carlisle needed to correct some assumptions, catching sight of a shock of red hair he knew that it must be Edward Jnr. The young man turned around, arm in arm with a lovely blond woman, and Carlisle blinked in shock. His conversations with Edward Snr had lead Carlisle to think of Edward as a child genius who was introverted and a bit geeky. This image conflicted with the gorgeous young man in front of him.

Edward Cullen was breathtakingly beautiful; his hair made have stood him out amongst the crowd, but it was his piecing green eyes that were captivating. Carlisle made a move to head towards the young man, when Edward's companion lead him to another part of the room. Carlisle looked up to see Felix smirking at him.

"Good luck with that one Car," Felix grinned. "Mother and Father guard that one like the vestal virgin he is."

Carlisle rolled his eyes and nudged Felix with his shoulder. "Let's move on," he instructed and they continued to mingle around the room.

As he talked to others throughout the evening, he received confirmation of Felix's rather crude statement. Edward Cullen Jnr was very much protected by his parents and the young woman he was with, Rosalie Hale. To just talk with him Carlisle was going to have to wait until Edward Snr returned and could introduce him to his son.

It was nearly three months until Edward Snr returned. During that time Carlisle had settled into his new roles in the hospital and private practice.

The event in which he was finally introduced was fairly dry. He had attended by himself with the plan to leave as soon has his obligations had been met. He was surprised to see Edward Snr and excited when his friend introduced him to his son. Carlisle's plan to leave early dissolved, as he and Edward chatted easily. The young man was beautiful inside and out. Edward was bright, intelligent and had clearly been given the opportunities to have many experiences in his young life.

Carlisle found himself simply watching Edward as he spoke of his favourite compositions, or the joy that he found when sailing or any sort of motor sport.

Edward's expression, when Carlisle informed him that his family had a permanent berth at Monaco for the Formula 1 Grand Prix and that Edward Snr and Carlisle had spoken about Edward joining him for the next race, turned into exploding joy. Carlisle decided there and then he would do anything to see that look on Edward's face again.

As Carlisle sat chatting to the young man, he found himself conflicted. This brilliant young man had the whole would ahead of him and while Carlisle found him extremely attractive, his thoughts were moving away from those of romance, to care and protection.

Who wouldn't want to protect this amazing young man, he was innocent, and precious, and brilliant, and exuberant. Talent like his should not be allowed to be tainted or abused. Carlisle could see why Elizabeth and Edward Snr took such care over their son. He was one of a kind, and Carlisle was glad to have been allowed to become his friend.

It was only after the death of Edward Snr, the cause of which frustrated Carlisle enormously, in the end recorded as a blood infection, his relationship with Edward shifted from a friend, to mentor and then after a time…boyfriend.

o.o.o

Carlisle jumped at the knock on the door, his call to enter saw Carmen appear; holding a cup with a steaming beverage.

"I thought you would like some tea," she murmured. Carlisle raised an eyebrow, "Oh don't be silly," Carmen chastised walking towards him and handing him the cup. "It's just tea. Unless you would like me to prepare something to help you sleep?"

Carlisle shook his head, "No, thank you. I don't think anything would help at the moment." He sipped at the beverage enjoying the warmth of the drink that held so many childhood memories.

Bringing his mind back to the present he asked quietly, "How is Edward?"

Carmen sighed, she hated to see her friend so distressed, but there was nothing that she could say. The young man had been in danger because he was in this house, such was the risks they all faced. Sadly Edward had been unaware of the dangers of being with Carlisle, and that was all on Carlisle.

"He was asleep last time I checked. I was planning to check him again now," she admitted.

"I will come with you," Carlisle rose. Carmen went to protest, but Carlisle raised a hand, "I won't enter the room, I just need to see he is ok."

Carmen nodded and followed her boss to the guest room. Gently opening the door she motioned for Carlisle to remain where he was as she crept into the room. Edward lay on his side facing away from the doorway, his body was hunched in the foetal position.

Carmen walked to his bedside checking that he was asleep. He looked so scared, so fragile, that she gently rested her hand against his cheek. Edward moved his face into the touch, Carmen looked closely but the young man was fast asleep.

"How is he?" Carlisle's raspy whisper came from the doorway.

Edward's reaction was instant, he tightened his body into a smaller ball and whimpered.

"Shh! Shh!" Carmen calmed him, throwing an angry look at Carlisle; who had the decency to look both chastised and devastated that the sound of his voice produced such an extreme reaction, even while Edward was sleeping.

Assured that Edward had calmed and was sleeping soundly, Carmen exited the room, closing the door firmly behind her.

"Carlisle, he is going to need time," she warned. "He has been over protected by everyone in his life, including you , and has just had the worst possible wake up to the nature of the world. He will probably hate you the most, because he trusted and loved you the most."

Carlisle took a shuddering breath. He knew all of this, he just didn't know what to do about it. They needed to talk. If he couldn't get Edward to understand the situation, to forgive him for the deception, Carlisle needed at least to ensure that Edward understood the need for secrecy.

He bid goodnight to Carmen, and walked back to his study to think.

o.o.o

Edward waited until the door closed and he could hear movement down the corridor. The sound of Carlisle's voice had caused such a panic, it had taken everything in him to not jump up and scream at Carlisle to go away.

Rolling onto his back, he stared up at the ceiling in the gloom.

He needed to leave his apartment. He knew that he would have to talk to Carlisle eventually, but for now he was terrified. Terrified for his safety, but more so terrified of the truth that waited for him in their impending conversation.

Edward did not want to know the truth. He wanted to stay ignorant.

He didn't want to know what the sound of bullets hitting glass and flesh sounded like.

He wanted to forget how expertly his boyfriend had handled and killed with a weapon that had been at hand, ready for such an attack.

He didn't ever again want to look into Carlisle's eyes after having seen the fury and coldness within them; before they had become horrified, full of fear and remorse, as they captured his gaze.

Edward could not stay and wait for his world to end.