YOU'RE WHAT!

Disclaimer: The Cullen's, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.

The awesome and talented dowlingnana searched out my errors and corrected them.

Bella, Alice and Rosalie watched as she marched back towards the three guys seated further back in the shadows of the club, she quickly grabbed her things and hauled ass out of the club without a backward glance at anyone.

The three guys she had marched over to did remained for a while longer and then they left as well.

Of course, Edward, Jasper and Emmett all had questions running around in their minds, but, were to stunned to be able to formulate any words to ask any of their questions.

CHAPTER 9: REALITY CHECK

"Wh..Wh…Wha…What?" All three guys sputtered as they tried several times to ask, more of themselves than anyone else, as their minds were still slow to catch up with what had just happened. And the guys reaction to what the ladies had to do was comical, to say the least. But, Bella, Alice and Rosalie were only doing their job by keeping Blondie away from the three guys.

Finally, seemingly getting control over his addled thoughts and returning more or less down to earth, Edward quickly questioned in general, "Where the hell did you three come from?"

"Well, it definitely wasn't from hell as you just seemed to imply. But, from the back of the room, well, not completely back, but, enough back to be out of sight and still be close enough to be able to keep a close watch on the three of you." Bella answered for herself and her two co agents.

"We didn't see you last night, but, you're here tonight. What is going on?" Edward couldn't resist asking his question once more.

"What's going on Mr. Cullen is that we've spied a possible threat to you three and have decided that we needed to be available a lot sooner than originally planned.

"At no time last night were you three ever truly alone and out of sight of any of our agents assigned to this case. You three are under constant watch and we have gotten our associates in place to keep your families safe. Also, placed in your businesses to watch over your personal safety.

"Mr. Cullen, Whitlock and McCarty, we have been following through with the plan that we had laid out before you at our last meeting. But, some changes had to be made once we received word about a possible threat to the three of you." Bella concluded explaining.

"What threat? What are you talking about? Why haven't we been informed of this before now? Can't you people do better than this in keeping us safe? I'm thinking that if this is the way you handle the safety of your charges then it explains why most people would rather stay quiet than step forward. Really, they are in more danger after coming forward and falling under your protective methods than by taking care of themselves.

"It's truly a wonder we aren't dead already." Edward ranted. He was reacting more out of nerves because of what Agent Swan had just told them than what his true feelings were. The shock was really having a bad effect on the poor man. And, from the looks of the other two, they weren't in much better shape.

"Mr. Cullen, I can understand why you're making such unfounded remarks. And, I won't make the situation worse by implying, or, even alluding to the correct reasons behind you making such statements. However, I am going to tell you that in the future I would consider what is about to come out of my mouth, if I was you, before uttering such trash." Rosalie sternly told Edward before checking her surroundings to make sure the whole conversation was still be contained, more or less, as a private conversation; at least under their current circumstances that is.

"It's because we are concerned about your safety and that of your families that we are heeding all of the information that is coming to light as we move forwards.

"However, we want you to understand that we aren't the agents that are investigating the case, we are the ones that are determined to keep your sorry asses in one piece so you can tell your story to the judge when the time comes." Alice spoke up after Rosalie had finished.

None of the three agents appreciated the remarks made by Edward and his attitude towards them or their fellow officers, no matter which agency they were employed by. None of the three agents in charge had made reference to the fact that they were well aware that the three men were frightened to a certain degree, even, if their macho code refused to allow them to admit it to themselves let alone someone else.

"Now, ladies, I think we all need to take a step or two back before all of this gets a little out of hand. I'm sure my bro, Edward, here didn't mean things the way you three ladies took it to mean. In fact, I really don't think he was putting any of you down personally, but, he spoke without thinking. I mean we all do that from time to time, don't we." Emmett for once was trying to be the peacemaker here instead of Jasper who is usually the one in that position.

"Emmett, don't be presuming that you know what I mean when you don't." Edward told his friend in a rather harsh tone before rising and marching off towards the exit door. Once he got there he turned his head slightly to look back in the direction of his two friends and the three agents, shook his head to try and clear it a bit before walking out into the night, but, it didn't work. At least not at that precise moment.

After being hit with the coolness of the night air as soon as Edward had stepped out of the door his head began to clear itself of the fogginess that the amount of alcohol he had consumed between the two clubs and he began to realize just had ridiculous he had been. He considered going back and apologizing for being such an ass, but, felt that at this point he would only embarrass himself further. But, tomorrow; yes, definitely tomorrow he would make amends for his blunders of this evening.

He would call to get the direct number for Agent Swan and offer his apologies. During that call he would also try to get a better understanding of why he reacts to the agent in certain ways that he doesn't to the other two agents by asking her to meet with him, just the two of them. True he knows that Emmett and Jasper have a certain interest in Agents Hale and Brandon, and, he was pretty sure that they were having the same uncontrolled feelings towards those two women as he was having towards Agent Swan.

Edward was having a hard time understanding himself, let alone his sudden reactions to one particular FBI agent that is assigned to help protect him until he can testify. His nerves, true, are on edge, but, not just because of the situation he had witnessed, although, that did factor into the picture; they seemed to be intensified to an even greater degree when Agent Swan came into the scenario. It made no difference if it was her presence or the mere mention of her name, he would react in every way that a man could towards a beautifully intelligent woman. The whole thing caused him great personal embarrassment as he thought about his reactions each time and it's these thoughts that will cause his personal reactions all over again.

It was becoming very painful to have a certain problem that seemed to have taken up permanent residence in his nether region. If other people were around he would have to be very careful of his thoughts to try to keep that certain part of his body under control just to be able to function around others without obvious embarrassment.

After Edward had left the club leaving behind his two friends with the FBI agents, Emmett and Jasper were busily trying to explain their friend's behavior. "He's just had a little too much to drink, but, at the same time he did have some doubts as to people actually being in position to protect the three of us.

"In fact, we decided to go to a different club tonight just to test the theory, but, we never saw anyone. We were unaware of any of you being close until what happened a few moments ago with the blonde." Emmett explained quietly as he hoped the three agents would be understanding of why Edward behaved as he had.

And just as Jasper was going to back things up with further comments verifying Emmett's explanation, Alice interrupted before a single word could be uttered, "We understand, up to a point, of why Mr. Cullen behaved as he did. His remarks about the fact that he wasn't sure if anyone was watching over the three of you and then his commenting about our being absent last night."

And as Alice paused Rosalie picked up the story, "We were told about the comments, but, never at any time were any of you not under close watch; that's how we were able to know of Edward's concerns. And, believe us when we say his concerns are normal for someone your position. He isn't the first to feel that way and he won't be the last. Those feelings are normal. We would be more worried his none of you had any concerns.

"But, during your outing last night a certain situation was brought to the light of day which enabled us to learn of a possible threat to the three of you and brought forth the fact that we needed to make an appearance earlier than we had originally planned if certain things were still in play for the next time you three went clubbing together or separately.

"If you remember it was explained that we wanted to have you three observed so we would be able to make our appearances into you lives to seem to be a more natural thing rather than a rushed one. But, new information had us reconsidering certain aspects of the plan."

"Do you mind explaining what prompted the actions of you three tonight? Also, what was it that appeared to be a possible threat to us other than the obvious? Or, are my two questions totally connected to each other?" Jasper did ask since Alice had cut off his attempt to cover for Edward.

"To be honest, you're asking the same question, but, wording it differently." Rosalie answered in a quiet manner before continuing, "But, at this point and especially in this place we can't really answer your question."

It was then that full reality of where they were was brought home to the two men. Then came the reality that Edward had left and was out on the streets somewhere alone. And, finally, came the reality once more of what type of situation the three friends were facing which brought the current ladies and their associates into their lives.

"We need to find Edward. He could be in trouble being out by himself." Both of his friends expressed their concern.

"When are you three going to learn that none of you are alone; someone is watching over you 24/7 until this whole situation has ended and you three are completely safe once more.

"We know our jobs and we dp it well; not in half measures." Rosalie told the two men. "Stop worrying. Once Mr. Cullen had stepped outside that door other agents were out the door as well.

"No matter where he goes; we will know. Some one is with him and protecting him." Alice quietly explained to Jasper and Emmett.

And with that said the five decided it was time to call it a night and left the club. As they were out the door Emmett hesitated before turning and asking Rosalie to join him for a late night snack as he put it. Jasper wasn't slow on the uptake as he did the same with Alice.

So, the two couples separated and went their separate ways, but, until each had extended the invitation to include Bella. She refused stating that she had work waiting for her at home, but, she would be available if needed.

No one knew that Edward hadn't gone too far, but, was in fact standing still outside the club in the shadows where he had been facing his own realities and making certain decisions. As he watched his two friends leave with two of the agents while leaving Bella behind by herself he stepped out into the light to make his presence known. However, before a word could be said Edward found himself on the ground staring up into the business end of a gun that none other than Agent Swan was pointing at him.

A/N: What do you think of Edward's actions? Or, rather some of his personal reactions to a certain female agent? Then did he wait a little too long before making his presence known?

Hope you will enjoy this story and will let me know your thoughts, ideas and comments as we move forwards.