Alright, where to begin? First, I'd like to apologize for the wait. There was a loss in the family, and then I started back up at school, so matched with relatives popping in and out of my house and assignments piling up, things have just been crazy. Fortunately though, I was able to get all of my assignments for the upcoming week done yesterday. So I was able to finally complete this chapter today. However, I do have to apologize for the chapter. It's not bad, I assure you. It's just rushed. There was a lot more detail in my outline that I had to cut in order to get this chapter out to you at a reasonable time today, especially given what today is, I'm not sure what I'll be doing later in respects to 9/11, so I promise that the next chapter will not be rushed, and that I will have it posted soon.

A shout out to all the reviewers: megentaskyy, Chiara0075, berd b, rides the beast, teenytinytwilighter, liela – k, Rosalinex5, doves1993, KATY123, westernem, aggy73, pmk kelly, MS.T3, & Colorful Cheetos. Ya'll Rock! Hope I didn't miss anyone.

Important Note: I have posted a link to my fanfic Blog on my profile. That is where I will be posting my announcements, update alerts, pics, story ideas, etc. as well as a CH.7 sneak preview, which will hopefully be posted by tomorrow, if not later today.

The song for this chapter is District 78 "Game On"

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended


CH.6

Edward's P.O.V.

Game On

You know, not even twenty-four hours ago, I thought that there was nothing left in the world that could truly surprise me. The life I live, there's no room for surprise. A bullet flies right past me, I don't flinch. Someone points a gun at me, I laugh my ass off. Hell, I could have a bomb strapped to my ass, and I sure as shit can guarantee you that my heart rate won't even go up. None of that fazes me… it doesn't even register.

Same could easily be said about people. In all my life there hasn't been one singular person that I have found truly interesting. Sure my relative and extended family is made up of a unique bunch of characters, but that's just it, they're family, familiar. I find them all… entertaining in their own rights, and that's only 'cause they're far less predictable than the average red blooded American. But still, none of them have ever truly interested me, and that's due to the fact that, although they are less predictable than others, nine times out of ten, I always know their next move.

Even my father's predictable. The man carries a lifetime of secrets around with him like luggage and as I've stated before, he is always two moves ahead, but that's what makes him predictable. Family first, business second, honor, duty, no mercy, no disrespect, and just like that, you've got a detailed road map of how my father operates.

But, behold life's tiny miracles; there was one thing that seemed to slip through the cracks, or dare I say, one person. Isabella Swan was… something… something I couldn't quite put into words.

So how is it then, that some… girl, has actually managed to surprise me? The answer is that I have no fucking clue. From the moment, I first saw her, I'll admit, she was a cute little thing, beautiful even, natural. And well, I am a man who hasn't gotten laid in more days than I care to count, 1… 2… 3… damn it's was too long. So, put two and two together and you've got trouble. There was one problem though, she was shy as shit. She took one look at me, and naturally I gave her the famous Cullen smirk, but she didn't react like women usually do. If anything, she looked downright terrified.

After that a series of unusual events went down, and as there were one too many for my liking, so I'll just give you the cliff notes version.

Isabella was observant, maybe a little too observant. I swear Rose, being as prone to over exaggeration as she was, was thinking of all the ways she could kill her when Isabella caught sight of the blood on her sleeve. In Rose's defense, she was worried about exposure, but I still would have had to kill her myself had she harmed her, and had my father not diffused the situation. Yet still, all it took was one look in Isabella's eyes to show that she wasn't convinced of his lie. To that, I must say I was impressed.

And one can call me an arrogant prick all they want for the move I pulled in the kitchen, because, not only would they be right, but I just wouldn't give a fuck. This girl seemed like way too much not to play with and she was messing with my head in a big way. I wanted to see if I was having the same effect on her, 'cause she wasn't making it easy for me to get a read on what she thinking. So, I in a way, I was forced to action, and I'm glad I did. She was shy, nervous even, but damn was she responsive. Every time I got close to her, I could see her body shake, and hear the slightest sounds of her breath hitch. I made her nervous, but a part of her wanted me, and I was damn proud of the fact. Not even the mystery that was Isabella Swan was immune to the Edward Cullen charm. However, she was definitely the first to make me work to get her attention, and as much as I was enjoying the challenge, it was also annoying the hell out of me.

If I hadn't already been curious about this girl before, I definitely would have been after this morning. And before you ask, "no", I was not lurking around her bedroom, I honestly had to pee, and her bedroom was on the way to the bathroom. I just happened to be walking by when I heard noises coming from inside the room. The door was cracked, so I looked in to make sure everything was alright, and it was then that the noises grew to words, and next thing I knew, she looked like she was struggling.

Then she woke up, looking terrified and unsure of herself. I was… I don't know what I was. I felt something, but I can't name it, it was unfamiliar to me. Concern... maybe? I don't know. It doesn't matter; it was just a feeling. Feelings aren't important; they just affect people's judgments and make them do stupid things. I ignored the feeling as soon as it came, but continued to watch her. Logically I knew it was just a dream, but my instincts told me to study her and look for any signs of injury, but fortunately, there were none.

"It wasn't real." She'd said, trying to assure herself, but I couldn't help but ask her what. To say she was shocked to see me in her bedroom, let alone sitting at the end of her bed would be an understatement, but I didn't care. I just watched her. Even having just awoken in terror, looking flushed, and breathing heavily, she was a sight to behold. Clearly I was looking a little too much for her liking, though, as she self-consciously lifted her comforter up over her perfect and, due to the size of her tank top, nearly exposed breasts. I smirked as she blushed red, asking me what I was doing in her room. The answer was simple, as I just told you, and she went to tell me that she'd had a nightmare. However, she remained tight lipped when it came to telling me what her nightmare had been about. I admit I was a little insulted, I'd thought we'd had a moment in the kitchen the night before, but she didn't want to tell me. So at that point, I got up and left the room, no hurt feelings, I swear.

Later on I'd found her in kitchen looking frustrated, and being the saint I'd been in the past six or seven hours, I asked her is everything was okay. Her answer wasn't what I'd expected it to be, but nothing ever was when it came to this girl. She said she needed to go to the store so that she could make breakfast, and although I'm not really one to sleep, I felt it was still a bit early for her to be out and about when the sun hadn't even risen yet, but hey, maybe things were done differently in utensil town.

After that we'd had a slight… disagreement of sorts, and I was surprised she'd even argued with me at all. Outside of my family that shit just never happened. But it was what had happened next that shocked the hell out of me, another first. The second the name "Didyme" came out of her mouth I knew that as much of a mystery as she'd been to me before, there was far more to her than I'd ever considered.

The game had changed. From that moment on, it wasn't about her simply being a new fascination for me. It was now about my need to understand exactly what the hell else she was keeping locked away in that mind of hers. So I kindly… insisted, that I go with her to the store, which I probably would have done anyway, but now I had a more serious agenda.

That trip was one for the books. She had fire to her, I'll give her that. At first I thought she was upset that I'd spoken to the Lauren girl, but then she went and surprised me by arguing with me over paying for her groceries, which I honestly hadn't thought was a big deal, but clearly it meant something to her. When she gave me her reasons as to why, I have to say, I respected her, she was independent, and not too many people are nowadays. However, like so many things about Isabella, it was just another that created both admiration and annoyance within me. She was going to drive me insane, and the most ridiculous part was that she didn't even know it.

I did catch one lucky break though, when she finally gave mention of her dream, asking me to keep it a secret from her brother. Even if I'd liked him a bit more I still wouldn't have told him, but I gave her my word just the same. I did however, make it a point to express that it was only my word that she could trust and not me. She was intelligent, observant even, but she was also naïve, and I wanted her to wise up. This was a harsh world after all.

As she continued to tell me about her dream, I pretended to be less interested than I was, and just let her talk. Her recount of her dream was definitely not what I expected. I mean, who dreams about their own father's death every night, let alone about him being executed, which struck a chord somewhere within me. I didn't like the thought of her going through that, let alone the fact that she dreamed of her father's execution. And then she said the name again, the one I'd heard a hundred times in my life. The connection was vague, but it was all way to suspicious for my liking. I was getting a headache from all of this shit that just wouldn't add up. I knew then that I would have to confront my father.

By the time we got back to the house everything seemed pretty normal. Isabella made breakfast and visited with her brother, like nothing was bothering her at all. I guess that was a talent of hers; hiding her emotions. My plan to talk to my father was quickly trumped, as he was never alone long enough to talk, and I didn't want to draw attention to myself, which was another in a long list of firsts for the day. So instead, I just watched her, still trying to unravel this mystery, but with no luck, so I just came up with a way to ensure that I would have the chance to try again.

While the others were all occupied doing… whatever, I slipped upstairs and into Isabella's room where I left my favorite jacket lying on her bed with a small note placed on top of it. A sneaky move on my part, but I was left no choice. And I was taking a huge chance here… I mean, that is my favorite jacket. So when I told her that I'd be seeing her soon, I wasn't lying, and I would be seeing her again, I had to, she… intrigued me.

So here I am driving back to Seattle with my father and Peter, trying to process It all. Most off the drive so far has been made in silence, as my mind has been otherwise occupied. The look on my father's face tells me he's thinking hard about something as well, but I'll never know exactly what it is unless he ever decided to tell me. I glance back at Peter in the review mirror for a quick second, wondering what he would do if he knew I was thinking about his sister. He looks depressed, like he wants nothing more than to jump out of the care and run back to Isabella, and other the reason differ between the two of us, there is a part of me that wants that exact same thing. I shake my head of the thought and force myself to think of anything else the rest of the drive back.

By the time we reach Seattle it just barely the afternoon, and although the sun has fully risen, it continues to play a game of hide and seek behind the mass of clouds that always frequent the Seattle skies. Fifteen minutes later, we're back in front of Peter's sad display of an apartment complex, which I hope he ditches as soon as my father gives him his first company check. If for nothing else than for his sex life, 'cause no woman in her right mind would want to be brought to this dump for a night, no matter how drunk she may or may not be, and in a world full of uncertainties, that is a fact.

"You've done well your first time out Peter," My father said simply as Peter prepared to exit the car, "I expect to see you at the mansion tomorrow, bright and early so that Jasper, Edward, and I can go over how the Company operates with you."

"Yes sir," Peter nods, "I'll be there."

"Very well," My father gives Peter and approving nod, as he climbs out of my car and makes his way into the complex.

I have half a mind to just start asking my father questions right then and there, but I don't know where to begin. So for the drive back to the mansion, I stay silent.

Yet once were there I can't hold the questions back any longer, I need answers, now.

"I need to speak with you." I say to my father as we both exit my car.

"Can it wait?" He asked stiffly, "We've only just got back."

"No," Is my simple reply.

"All right then," He sighs. "Let me go greet your mother first. Meet me in my office in twenty minutes."

I nod as he walks away.

"So how was the trip," Alice's voice rang across the garage, as she made her way towards me, with Jasper following close behind her. Damn, he couldn't let her out of his sight for a second.

"It was… an experience," I spoke, choosing my words carefully so to not make Alice curious. That was the last thing anyone needed.

"How did Peter do?" She questioned.

"He's still alive," I joke before speaking seriously. "He did well."

"That is good to hear." Jasper said slowly, with a small nod. The nod was a sign that Jasper was relieved. He, like me, probably still didn't fully trust Peter, for no reason other than the fact that he was a Newbie, but he trusted my word and wanted to know if there was potential there. He didn't want anyone he couldn't trust around the family or more importantly Alice.

"It is," Alice said fixing us both with an exaggerated eye roll. "I told you boys that you had nothing to worry about with Peter, didn't I?"

"Yes." We both grumbled.

"So…" She hedged. No good could come of this. "What was she like?"

"Who?" I asked, knowing full well who she meant. We hadn't been home five minutes and already Emmett's told Alice all about the trip.

"Emmett mentioned that you all stayed at Peter's sister's house last night." See, predictable.

"Yes," I confirmed. "The shipment went over and we didn't want to make the drive back."

"Uh huh," Alice breathed impatiently, already knowing that part. "But what was Bella like?"

I shrugged. "She was… a nice kid."

Alice studied me for a moment with squinted eyes as if searching for the hidden meaning of life. I swear she could be such a freak sometimes, "A nice kid huh?"

"Yeah, sure." I said, not giving anything away.

"Hmm," She hummed thoughtfully, before a mischievous smile plastered itself across her face. "Well okay then."

I studied my sister for a moment cautiously. Her expression said it all. The little elf was up to something. "Alice…"

"We should be going," Jasper said, obviously picking up on the tense situation. "Charlotte put down a heavy beating on Newton during a sparring match this morning. We should check and see if he's still breathin'."

"Yes," Alice said before she all but flew out of the garage. Jasper gave me an apologetic half smile before trailing behind her.

Just fucking great. The last thing I needed today was Alice plotting the next big conspiracy. Taking a heavy breath, I decided to make my way towards my father's office. I wasn't in the mood to run into anyone who would be crazy enough to make and attempt at small talk, so I stuck to the more deserted halls, which also helped kill time before I reached my father's office, and before I know I'm standing in front of the door.

Without knocking, I step into my father's office.

"Knocking Edward," My father sighed, not looking up from the paperwork that sat on his desk.

"I told you I was coming," I defended.

"Apparently manners are a commodity," He snickered, "And yes, you did, however knocking is still the polite thing to do."

"So is saying thank you," I spoke unconsciously, thinking about what Bella had said earlier on the way to the store.

"What?" My father asked with a confused, questioning look.

"Nothing," I replied, shaking my head once I'd realized what I'd said.

"Hmm," My father said regarding me curiously, "So… what is it you wanted to speak to me about?"

"Isabella," I say, once again, unconsciously before catching myself, "Isabella's father, I mean."

In response to Isabella's name, my father looks curious, but his face turns to stone the second I bring up her father. "I don't know why you have this recent interest in Charles Swan and his children but as I have told you before, it is not relevant."

"You also said, 'at this time'," I argue, "And I say that it is now."

"What do you mean Edward?" My father sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, a habit I'd inherited from him.

"While we were still in Forks this morning," I started; pausing only momentarily to make sure he was paying attention, "Isabella had a nightmare, that's why she was awake so early…"

"The point Edward?" he asked, cutting me off, giving off a slight hint of frustration.

"The point father," I say slowly, "Is that while she was having the nightmare, she said a name, one I'm sure you're quite familiar with."

"What name?" He asked, truly curious.

"She said Didyme." I answered simply.

If I hadn't already been curious, then my father's reaction would have definitely been enough to make me really curious. I'd never seen him react in such a way. His eyes shot to mine and his jaw tensed. All my life he'd always been so good at covering his emotions, but now, I could see that he was just as thrown as I was.

"How can that be?" He seemed to ask himself as he stood from his desk and began pacing back and forth behind it, "She remembered me, but how could she possibly remember that?"

"Wait," I said trying to get his attention. "What do you mean, she remembered you, have you met her before?"

"Edward," my father warned.

"No," I argued, "Ever since Lehane stepped into this house, there have been one too many things that just aren't adding up, and I want answers… now!"

"Remember who you're speaking to Edward." My father said in a deadly calm voice.

I release a hard breath, my annoyance rising. "I haven't forgotten, but I need answers."

My father shook his head in response.

"Give me something," I asked, trying to reign in my anger. "Anything… I want to know. How can you expect me to do this job when you're keeping shit from me, obviously something important?"

My father placed his hands down on his desk and stayed silent for a few minutes before turning to me. "Edward… you need to understand that what I choose to tell you does not leave this room, and whatever I do not tell you, does not concern you. Are we clear?"

"Yes." I answer slowly.

My father sighed, pushing away from the desk, and then straightened his tie as he sat back down in his chair. "You asked me before why I hired Peter, and I told you that I did because I knew his father."

"Yes," I replied to his statement.

"That is the truth," He affirmed. "Charles Swan was, in many ways, a friend who has done more for this family than you will ever know. I owe him my life, and you owe him yours."

"What do you mean," I had never been more confused in my entire life, and I wasn't enjoying it. "Wasn't he just some small town police chief?"

"Not always," Was my father's, simple reply.

I wanted to question him further on that, and I would, but first I needed him to tell me something else, and I had this strange feeling that the two were connected. "Why would Isabella know about Didyme?"

My father shook his head slightly, "It must be a memory from before she can even remember having it. Bella is an incredibly observant young woman, apparently even as a child."

I couldn't argue against the observant part. "Same question?"

"It's all a very complicated history Edward." He breathed.

"History always is," I laughed humorously, "Hell, look at ours."

My father looked me dead in the eye, and said, "Our history and Bella's are a lot closer than you think."

I watch my father with careful, questioning eyes. "What do you mean?"


Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed it. I promise the next chapter won't be so rushed. Sorry to leave you on a cliffy there, but I just couldn't help myself.

Edward will be speaking to Bella in the next chapter, so stay tuned for that.

Be sure to check out my Blog. Sometime within the next 2 or 3 days I will be posting a sneak preview of chapter 7, before I post chapter 7.

Much Luv!

Daba91