I know it's been way too long, life has been crazy (but amazing). Here's an update.

Chapter 10

"Are we still on for the coffee house today?" Rose glances up from dumping cubes of sugar into her cup before stirring her coffee.

"Um, actually I kind of made plans with Edward. We're going to grab a bite to eat on my lunch break."

"Wow, that's like your third date in a week. You must really like each other," She sips from her cup eyeing me intensely, resembling a mother hen.

"Yeah, I guess we are," I'm shy and smiling now. Edward and I have gone out several times this past week since our date last Friday. And I don't feel that bashful feeling I get when I think of him going anywhere anytime soon.

I like it though.

"Rose, he's so funny and intelligent and when we're together we just laugh and laugh at the silliest things. I don't know what we are right now, but…it's just really nice," I ramble on with a shrug.

"Oh Bella, you really do like him. I've never seen you this way, not even with Jeremy," I roll my eyes at the mere mention of my ex. I have come a long way, no doubt about that.

"Yeah it's great." I agree nonchalantly.

"He's opening up more now too?" She voices the one thing I've had some reservations about since we've started seeing each other.

"Well, he's still a little closed off about some things. He doesn't like to talk about his family much, which I understand completely. I mean look at me, Ms. Poster child for foster care," Shrugging I take a bite of my omelet.

"Hmm, I see. Sometimes it just takes a while. I'm sure he'll eventually become more comfortable talking about certain things."

"Yeah," I nod in agreement. Hopefully, she's right.

"I can't believe you're blowing me off though," She mock pouts.

"Oh, thanks for the guilt trip Ms. 'Em is taking me away for the weekend, see ya Monday!'"

"Ok that was once, and you know it was a spur of the moment thing."

"Right," Laughing I finish off my plate. "Anyway, I should get going to the shop."

"Ok. I'm running a few errands with Em today for the club, but don't forget about tomorrow night."

"How could I? I'm going to invite Edward and everything."

"Great! The more the merrier. Oh yeah and the class, Alice will kick our asses if we miss it."

"Yeah Yeah I know."

Though it's busy, the day drags by slowly at Newton's. I keep watching the clock for noon so I can head over to Edwards office. We're going to try the new restaurant next to his building.

"Bella?" Mrs. Newton calls from the stock room.

"Yes, Mrs. Newton?"

"Do you know where we placed the inventory sheets?"

"Yeah, hold on one second," I finish the transaction I'm working on and head towards the back office. I'm used to Mrs. Newton asking the same question almost every shift. I couldn't ask for a sweeter and more awesome boss, but she simply has too much on her plate.

"Thanks, hun," The doorbell chimes as someone enters the store. I head up to the front and spot a tall figure standing around. The dark black ponytail is immediately recognizable.

"Jake?"

"Hey, Bella!"

"Hey… what are you doing on this side of town?" I can't keep the look of surprise off my face.

"I was actually looking for a book that I need for class," He shrugs.

"Hmm, and the bookstore on campus didn't carry it."

"Nope," He pops the p.

Chuckling, I shake my head. "What's the name of the book Black?"

"100 principles of hospice nursing."

"Let me look it up," I head towards the computer.

"So Bella, this is where you work."

"For the past four years." I don't mention the fact that he's never paid a visit before.

"Nice," I can see him scanning the small cozy space. He still has on his scrubs, jacket, and bag clutched on his shoulder as if he's rushed over.

"You're in luck Black," I walk around the counter and motion for him to follow me.

He follows me three rows back to our medical section. And I scan the shelf for the title.

"You know I haven't seen you around as much," He remarks casually. I continue scanning feeling his eyes on me.

"You know how busy it can get this time of year," I shrug.

"Of course," He pauses for a second as if he wants to add something else but doesn't.

"Ah gotcha," I spot the book and grab it, handing it to him.

"Now that's why they pay you the big bucks Swan," Laughing I roll my eyes and motion him to the front counter to ring him up. I nearly rush through the transaction after spotting the clock.

"Now if that's all I should be heading out," I shut the register.

"Hot lunch date?" He smirks sliding the book into his shoulder bag.

"Actually, that is a spot-on guess."

"Really?" His eyes widen indiscernibly.

"Yes, Jake. I'm not that horrid, am I? You seem surprised," I joke.

Snorting he shakes his head. "You couldn't be further from that description Swan." That night not too long ago at the festival pops into my head and I push it back quickly. Nah, he should be over that by now.

'Who are you fooling?' A tiny voice quips from the back of my mind. I think I know deep down that's not true, but I'll worry about that later.

"You want to walk out together?" He questions almost innocently, pulling me out of my thoughts. I manage to act cool in front of him as if my thoughts weren't straying to that unimaginable, yet unfortunate reality of how he may feel about me.

"Sure, let me grab my things."

I make it across town with a few minutes to spare and head into the tall high rise building that houses Edwards office.

The receptionist smiles as she sees me, having gotten used to seeing my face often over the past few weeks.

I'm trying to control my fast pace as I get closer to seeing Edward again. You would think I hadn't seen him in months with the way my heart flops in excitement. A voice stops me in my tracks.

"Bella?"

"Yes?" My breath catches at the sight in front of me. "Jack?"

His arm is in a sling close to his chest and he looks slightly thinner than what I remember him to be.

But I'd recognize the man anywhere.

Memories of the night that seemed to change my life, in more ways than one, come washing over me. I haven't seen him since that night over a month ago, but I could never forget the look on his face as he bled out on the floor of the wine store Arlene's.

"Wow..." I'm speechless. He continues.

"Bella, you have no idea how glad I am to see you." His smile is small but sincere, eyes twinkling. He has this face full of gratitude and respect that makes my throat close slightly.

"Trust me the feeling is mutual. Wow, it's so great to see you…" My voice trails off, as I take in his sling again.

"Alive?" he jokes half grim smile on his face.

"Well I was going to go with up and out, but alive works too," I shrug my smile probably matching his own.

Laughing he shakes his head a little.

"As soon as I came to and learned who you were I've wanted to meet you officially."

"I asked for updates on you from ADA Masen," I respond.

"You have no idea how grateful I am for you. You saved my life that night." His voice catches at the end, I can see the emotions washing over him as he tries to rein them in. And I understand completely.

Even though I've tried to forget about that night, well most of that night, I can't escape the fact that we all could have died in that wine shop. Jack being a near-fatal reminder of it. We all will carry scars, some physical, many psychological, from that night. And only those of us present that night will ever be able to understand.

"I just did all that I could that night," I shrug still feeling emotional over seeing him again.

"Well, it was everything, because it saved my life." I nod in response, a small solemn smile on my face. There's a slight pause before I speak again.

"Are you here for the trial?"

"Yes." He shuffles some papers I just now realize he's holding. "I was finally discharged from the hospital recently and able to meet with Mr. Masen. I haven't been able to since he visited after I woke."

"Ah." I nod in understanding. "I know we all want the same thing in this situation."

"Justice." He replies without missing a beat.

"So, what did the doctors say? if you don't mind me asking." I quickly add. He waves me off unbothered. "Are you on track for a full recovery?"

"Yeah, I just got cleared for my arm and I begin rehabilitation next week."

"That's awesome. I'm so happy you're doing well Jack"

"So am I, and so is my wife Leslie. She wanted to be here but was called in at the last minute."

"Aw well please tell her I said hello." I smile warmly.

"Of course, she would've loved to have met you."

"So would I Jack," I can see how much he cares for her with just the mention of her name.

"Well, it was great seeing you, Bella."

"You as well."

"Well I'll be seeing you around I'm sure." He adds starting down the hallway again.

"Yes," I nod.

A brief touch on my arm and he's gone.

I can't contain the smile on my face. An overwhelming sense of relief washes over me. I hadn't realized how much anxiety I carried since that night, especially about the one almost casualty.

I knock on the door that reads Assistant District Attorney Edward Masen.

The door opens revealing a dark gray suit-clad Edward.

"Hi." His face has a 1000 megawatt smile stretched across it. His eyes roam over me quickly. It does something to me.

"Hi," I murmur leaning in to kiss him. I don't think I'll get over kissing Edward anytime soon if ever. His lips are warm and soft. Just how I like them.

"Give me a second to pack a few things up, then I'll be ready." He half states, half questions as he pulls away, eyes bright, looking every bit of delectable. If only we weren't at his place of work. I need to quell those thoughts though, we haven't made it to that level yet.

"Ok," I wave him on shutting his office door, I lounge in the chair across from him as he stacks a few piles of papers. "So, I ran into Jack."

"Yeah? We just finished going over an additional statement."

"Yeah, it was great seeing him. I hadn't realized how worried I'd been for him."

"I'm sure you were." He looks up, a concerned look on his face. "You watched him almost die. You saved his life."

"Yeah, so I keep on being reminded." I glance down quickly. Rose's words pop back in my mind. "Oh, before I forget…Emmet, Rose's boyfriend, owns a nightclub and we're all meeting there tomorrow evening. Want to come?"

He pauses, a small smirk on his face. "Are you inviting me to meet your friends?"

This is a big deal to me, inviting him out with all my friends. They're practically my family. The people who've been pivotal parts of my life for the longest. And he's important enough to me already for proper introductions as… whatever he is to me.

"Yeah, I guess I am," I beam up at him, half nervous, half excited at the thought.

"I'd love to Bella." His face matches mine I'm sure. It's as if he knows how big a deal this is to me.

"Great I can't wait," I bounce a little.

"Even though I've met them already," He grins.

"Oh, yea… well now you get to meet them officially."

"Officially. I like that." He nods mock serious, I can't help my giggle that escapes. That dies away as my thoughts stray back to the man I just ran into in the hall.

Seeing Jack makes me think of James Smith again. It took a constant effort to force myself to forget about him. Not allowing him to take up any more time in my life. But that uneasy feeling is back.

"Edward?"

He looks up in question, shoving a few things in his briefcase.

"How's the Smith case going anyway?" He sighs slightly.

"Well, we've hit a few minor barriers. Smith's defense is trying to argue an improper handling of evidence. Which won't do anything except delay the process, which is a waste of time for us all."

"What do you mean 'improper handling'?" I question. Everyone seemed to be doing their job that night.

"There was a loss of evidence from the precinct," He continues piling papers together glancing back down.

"Well, what was lost?" I ask eyeing him. He lets out a quick breath, pausing before locking his eyes on mine.

"The Weapon." He says simply.

My eyes widen in surprise, and the shock is evident in my voice.

"You mean the weapon James Smith used that night is gone?"

"Yes."

"How? I mean I'm not a lawyer or investigator, but the weapon a criminal uses to rob a store shouldn't be just gone," I exclaim.

"It shows it was never checked in at the station, we have a team looking for it, but it's as if it just disappeared in route."

"Wow…" I'm speechless.

"Bella, I really shouldn't be talking about this with you."

"Yeah, well we probably shouldn't be doing a lot of things Edward," I shoot back.

I swear I almost see a flush on his face before he looks away. I continue.

"So now what?"

"It won't matter. We have too many eyewitnesses and statements. Plus, we have the bullet which can be traced to the weapon. The case is in the can, Bella. We just have to get through all of this red tape," He shrugs as if significant crime weapons go missing every day.

There's silence for a moment, as I take in this new information. Who knows where that gun could be? And, with who? And how could it affect the case going forward? Could that man possibly walk free?

Clearing my head, I go back to what I really want to ask him.

"Well it was great seeing Jack and getting an update on him," I start off.

"I'm sure. He owes you a great deal Bella."

There's silence for a few beats before I ask my next question.

"Is there a way to meet with him?" He glances up swiftly.

"Who jack? I'm sure we can arrange something," He says absentmindedly before looking back down as if he's lost something on that pile of papers on his desk. He really should organize it. Maybe I can help him.

"No, James Smith," I say as if it's no big deal.

His head pops up in shock, it would be almost comical if the situation were different. I don't waver though and hold his stare.

"What? Why would you want to meet with Smith?"

"I have my reasons, Edward."

"No, Bella. I can't allow you of all people to meet with him."

"Wait, are you forbidding me from seeing him?"

"No, you're a grown woman, I would never try to forbid you from anything," He's stopped what he's been doing completely, somewhat frozen in shock and some other emotion. It's impossible to decipher right now, especially at the moment.

"Ok well that's great that you realize that, but Edward, I told you that I was moving on from this but I think that I need this. No, I know I need this. I have so many questions…" my voice trails off. It sounds slightly crazy. Going to meet with the man who could've killed me not even a month ago. But there's just something about that night that isn't sitting right with me, and if I have to go to the one man who may have those answers well so be it.

"And you think James Smith will answer those for you?" His face is full of skepticism.

I hate it.

It ignites something inside of me. That rebellious teen with bottle dyed blonde hair, who I thought I'd locked away threatens to make a return. I feel like I have something to prove.

A feeling I used to know all too well.

"Maybe, I don't know. But I at least have to try. You know I thought there was something more to that night, especially with him. He might mention something."

"Bella, I have all of the evidence I need against him. He's guilty, that's simple and clear. You can't create a story out of something that simply isn't there. That's just crazy," His tone is firm.

"Hmph, Crazy? Thanks, Edward."

"Bella, that's not what I meant."

"What did you mean?"

"All I meant is that James Smith is a dangerous criminal who could've killed you that night as well as everyone else in that store. Seeing him could bring back all kinds of memories and forms of PTSD."

"I've worked and dealt with a lot of fucked up people in my profession Edward. Trust me, I understand the possible consequences. I want to meet with him," Neither of us is backing down, our eyes are locked, no more words are exchanged.

His phone begins ringing breaking the silence between us. He doesn't answer and it stops after several rings. Taking a deep breath, I grab my bag. We need a little space from one another, I can see this conversation going nowhere. Or worse.

"Maybe, we shouldn't get lunch today." I clutch my bag before turning around.

"Bella." He starts. His phone begins ringing again.

"Pick up the phone Edward. I have to go."

"Bella!" He calls again after me.

The house is quiet when I arrive back later that night. My argument with Edward still weighs on me like a ton of bricks.

I wasn't overreacting. Was I?

People handle trauma differently. I preferred to meet mines head on. And I had questions. Questions I felt only one man could answer for me.

Like why did Smith hesitate that night? It was as if someone were forcing him to rob that store. Were there others out there that we should worry about? Why did he even rob that store?

The last question echoes in my mind. Why would James Smith do such a terrible thing to us and himself that night?

Maybe I've tried to see the good in people for so long, that I'm failing to see the truth in front of me.

Sometimes people do bad things. There's no rhyme or reason. No underlying motive, no sad backstory. They just do. Maybe no one forced Smith to hold that store up and almost murder an innocent man. Maybe he just did it simply because he could.

My head is beginning to hurt from this long day. Great, it'll match the pain in my heart. I can't stand the thought of fighting with Edward, especially so soon in our relationship. If that's what you can even call it.

What if we don't make up? What if things are over before they even properly begun?

I need to get my mind off this. I lay in bed and put on my favorite movie, but it only brings back memories of Edward and the night he surprised me with soup when I was sick. And for once Holly Golightly doesn't make me feel better.

I turn the T.V off and try to sleep, but I know that's impossible right now.

I'm tossing and turning for what feels like hours before a memory returns.

That look on Edwards' face earlier comes back to me. The one I couldn't decipher as he questioned me in disbelief.

But now it's become clearer, maybe because I'm removed from the situation. An emotion almost imperceptible but present when I'd asked to meet with James Smith.

Fear.

Pacing quickly in his office. His mind wanders over the possibilities. He must make a decision.

She wants to speak with Smith. Who knows what the man would say? One mission ruined all because of one woman's idiotic curiosity.

Without another moment of thought, he picks up the burner phone.

"Carlisle, it's Cullen. Follow through on Smith. He's a liability."

"Look at you giving the orders now boy. Aren't you getting back into the groove of things," The voice chuckles before giving into a hacking cough.

"I have no time for the theatrics, will you take care of it or not?"

"Consider it done."

"Good." He goes to end the phone call when the voice speaks again.

"If you don't mind, to what do I owe this change of heart?"

"This thing has to go perfectly. I'm too close. And I won't let anyone fuck it up now," His words come out in a snarl. He pauses, those endless brown eyes flash quickly through his mind, as they have so often in this short period of time, he shakes his head and continues "Not even you Carlisle."

Promptly hanging up the phone he smashes it into pieces and begins discarding them.