A/N: I'm so incredibly sorry for not getting this posted sooner. Ugh snow and real life! But, we are back on track on now.

Chapter 9: Trouble and worries

EPOV

The knot in my stomach was growing bigger and bigger as I made my way to my boss's office. I wasn't even sure what this meeting would be about but I had a feeling that it wasn't going to be good. I could barely focus on my job, though, because my my brain was in a panic over Jasper. Why had he come here? He certainly seemed angry . . . angrier than I could even fathom. And that anger was all directed at me, that much I could feel. I told myself that Bella couldn't be in peril because surely Jasper would have told me...but I was still uneasy. What was going on?

I nodded at the secretary who pointed toward the door with a frown on her face as I walked into my boss's office.

I arrived at the door and took a deep breath as my hand gripped the doorknob. Here goes nothing.

My boss was sitting as his desk, reading something but he looked up as soon as I walked in, his eyebrows creasing together, and his mouth set in a tight line.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Edward, yes, have a seat."

He didn't get up from his chair and his voice held no emotion.

Shit. This might be worse than I thought.

I sat down, trying to make my expression blank . . . . I wasn't even sure what I felt and I really wasn't sure what to expect.

I looked across his desk and he was staring at me, his lips pursed as if he were trying to figure out what to say.

"Edward, do you know why I called you in here so urgently?"

I shook my head.

"Honestly, I'm not sure."

"Edward, do you know an attorney named Isabella Swan? From Swan & Hale?"

I felt my face get hot; I wondered if I was blushing as badly as Bella.

I coughed.

"What was that Edward? Speak up."

"Yes, I know her. She's my girlfriend. Why do you ask?"

"Edward, did Mike Newton give you a case earlier today? A case in which we're representing MegaCorp?"

I squinted my eyes as I tried to remember the case Mike had so graciously bestowed on me earlier--I hadn't even looked at the name of it yet.

"Well, Mike did give me a case earlier but I haven't had a chance to look at it yet. There's a settlement conference for Ferraro tomorrow; I've been working on the agreement all afternoon."

He didn't say anything.

"So you really didn't know that you were assigned a case in which Ms. Swan was opposing counsel? Really?"

I felt a sudden pain in my chest. Maybe I was having a heart attack. It felt like I was dying. I heard my boss saying something but I couldn't distinguish what it was . . . I couldn't care. All I could think about was Bella--did she know? She had been talking animatedly all weekend about her big case against Megacorp but she didn't give me any details on it; such matters were confidential. I felt my heart drop in my chest--how unlucky could I be?

"I really didn't know. I wouldn't have hesitated to screen myself from any case she was on . . . I know her firm is opposite ours on occasion but I would never be disloyal to Bel--er--Miss Swan or to this firm. I think my work speaks for itself."

He sighed, placing his fingers together in an almost diabolical manner and leaning on his desk.

"But yet, you didn't tell me you were dating Miss Swan. Why not?"

"Well, it just didn't occur to me, it hasn't been that long and I didn't think it mattered."

"So it's not serious?"

"I wouldn't say that . . . it's actually quite serious."

"Then tell me, Edward, how did you meet?"

Oh no. I hadn't even thought about this part.

"We, um, met on the Kidd case."

"The case you settled a few weeks ago?"

"Yes."

"Interesting . . . Mike came and complained to me about that case, too. It seems like you've made a real enemy in Mike?"

That vile Newtown. I ground my teeth together lest I say something I would regret about a colleague.

"Regardless of my relationship with Ms. Swan, it was in the firm's best interest to settle that case."

He didn't say anything for at least a minute and I was racking my brain to decide what he was thinking. I finally just decided to find out. I couldn't take any more anticipation and I needed to talk to Bella.

"Is that all? I really do want to make sure this agreement is ready for tomorrow. . ." My voice trailed off as I began to rise from the chair.

"Not quite Edward, indulge me for another minute?"

Damnit. I sat back down.

"Edward, you're a good attorney. No, that's not true . . . you're a great attorney. That's why you came so highly recommended to me and why I hired you here without question when your old boss called me, asking for a favor. But, you and I both know that I did do you a favor in hiring you under those circumstances. Now, I consider the firm lucky to have you; you are definitely an asset here already. As for you and Ms. Swan--"

I knew I was grimacing at this point . . . waiting for some sort of ultimatum. I felt physical pain at the prospect that I might have to choose between the two loves of my life.

"Don't give me that look Edward. I know you did nothing outside of the firm's interest in your relationship with Ms. Swan. I believe you when you say you didn't know she was on the Megacorp case Mike gave you today. I do. However, something is still troubling me."

It was my turn now to let out a sigh. But still, where was he going with this?

"What's bothering me Edward is that the work we do here is completely opposite of your prior experience and the interests detailed in your resume. I know part of the reason your old boss called me was because you were desperate to move here and you needed a job quickly considering . . . well, considering your mother. And, please don't be embarrassed that I know you needed the money, as well. I truly admire you for giving up your old job in which you were incredibly successful in accomplishing social justice to come here and take care of your mother, even if it is by . . .corporate means. But, Edward, the only time I've even seen your eyes light up or a even a hint of a smile since you arrived here is when I mentioned Ms. Swan. Otherwise, you seem miserable doing this work."

I opened my mouth to protest but I soon realized that I couldn't debate that point. I hated this job. But he had to know how much I needed it. He must have noted my expression because he carried on with his thought.

"Edward, I don't want you to leave this firm. I think we need you. We need someone that has a bit more compassion and a more realistic approach to negotiating rather than just considering the bottom line, but please, think about whether this is really what you want. By now, I'm sure you could find another job in this city . . . I'm not sure it would pay as much but it's possible . . . just think about it, please?"

I was moved by his words. He was right. I did have a lot to think about. Esme's face as she lay in her hospital bed became the film playing in my head at that moment but fighting for dominance was Bella's smile, a sight I had recently grown to need. How could I tell her I loved her when she didn't know the whole truth? I truly wasn't good enough for her.

My boss clearing his throat snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Thank you. I appreciate your trust in me and . . . you're right, I do have a lot to think about. If you'll excuse me?"

"Just one more thing Edward?"

"Yes?"

"I would be honored to meet Miss Swan. Her reputation precedes her but from what I hear, she's a tough one to crack."

"Thank you Emmett. I'm sure Bell--Miss Swan--would like that."

I stood up and shook his hand. He clasped our shaking hands with his other one and gave me a nod before I turned around and walked out the door. Once again, I let out a sigh. While I felt better knowing part of the truth was out there . . . it seemed like there was a lot more I needed to think about. And the first thing I needed to do was talk to Bella. If she'd listen. I still couldn't figure out the Jasper equation.

Meanwhile

BPOV

I was still on the couch, paralyzed with my thoughts and my regrets as Alice hummed happily from my kitchen, making hot chocolate.

"Alice?"

No answer, she was humming very loudly.

I raised my voice a little. I truly couldn't be bothered to get up.

"Alice?"

She came running into the room and kneeled next to me.

"What is it Bella?"

"I need my phone. Now."

She reached into her pocket and pulled it out before placing it in my waiting palm.

My fingers easily flipped it open and I was about to press a number on my speed dial . . .

"Bella?"

"Yes?"

"It's all going to work out. I just know it. Do you think I would be so happy right now if I didn't know that?"

"I think you're right Alice. But only if I do this now."

"I'm right here if you need me."

I resumed my finger pressing on my speed dial and waited as patiently as I could for the call to connect.

It rang once. And then twice. I was growing even more impatient when finally he picked up on the third ring.

"Jasper?"

"Bella?"

"Where are you? Are you with Edward?"

"What? No. I"m waiting for him . . . he had to meeting with his boss."

"Where are you Jasper?"

He didn't answer me and I could hear him huffing over the phone. It had been a long time, but sometimes Jasper really needed to learn to control himself a bit better. Right now, I really had no patience for him.

"Just tell me where you are."

"I'm at the bar across from Edward's building. Waiting for him, like I said."

"Don't move. And if Edward gets there before me, be nice." I hissed.

"Do you know something I don't Bella?"

"Yes."

He waited for me to continue.

"I know that I love him. And I know he wouldn't do something like this. There has to be an explanation. So I'm coming to meet you. Like I said, be nice if he gets there first. Do not say anything about this yet. And besides, Alice said that it would all work out. "

The last part convinced him, I knew. He had a definite weakness when it came to Alice. I would have to remember to use that in the future.

"Ok, I'll wait. And if Edward gets here, I'll make him stay and I'll be nice. And I won't say anything about the case. Satisfied?"

"Yes, thank you Jas. It was foolish for me to let you fight my battle, anyway. We both know I'm better at winning an argument than you." I teased.

Luckily he laughed.

"Hurry Bella. I'm sure Edward wants to see you."

"See you soon."

I realised that Alice had been holding my hand the whole time.

"Did you hear that?"

She was smiling at me and for once, didn't say anything. She just nodded.

"Will you drive me there and then take Jas away?"

"Of course, Bella. Let's go."

She pulled me up, tossing the blanket aside and before I could blink, she was holding my coat, tapping her foot as I put my arms into it and pulled it on.

I was thankful again for Alice's close parking spot and quick driving as she navigated the streets with ease.

While I still hadn't sorted through the mish-mash of thoughts in my head which vacillated between my love for Alice and Jasper and their friendship and that other love for Edward which was maybe a little muddled right now but not gone, Alice drove us to the bar.

It took mere minutes it seemed and Alice's luck was with us again as she found a park spot on the street less than a block away.

Why was is it that Alice always seemed to know where a parking spot would be the first time around? She never had to circle.

"Bella? We're here." She snapped me out of my thoughts again and was already standing on my side of the car, with the door open and her hand extended to help me out.

Quick little pixie.

We walked into the bar and immediately spotted Jasper. Sitting alone--thankfully--with two shots of dark brown liquid in front of him.

He smiled as soon as he saw Alice as he looked to her first, before looking at me and pushing one of shots toward the end of the table that we were now walking toward.

Jasper took one of the shots before getting up and embracing Alice. I turned away, letting them have their private moment.

I steadied myself with my palms on the table before picking up the shot and downing it.

Alice patted my arm and Jasper whispered to me, "I think that's our cue to leave."

I turned around and there he was walking, into the door, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the dark.

I didn't let myself think about Mike or the case or anything else at that moment. And it was like every time before as my body propelled itself toward him.

LIke a moth to a flame, he was there with open arms and we wrapped our bodies around each without hesitation.

I took a minute to breath in his scent; it calmed me.

But as I pulled my head back to look at his face, I was overwhelmed by his sad eyes.

As usual, we were on the same wavelength when we both opened our mouths to speak. In unison, "we need to talk."

A/N: oh those dreaded words! But, now you (kind of) know Edward's secret. And, what do you think about Emmett's cameo? Lots of big decisions to be made in the next few chapters. Thanks, as always, to my beta dictums! Please read her new fic, Oh, How the tables have turned--it's amazing! Seriously the best non-AU/canon fic I've read! Also, please review!