AN:This one is rather short, but believe me it was the only logical place to divide the chapters ;) The next update will be a flashback of teenage Bella and Edward attempting to do some lemony things together. I have it all written up already, so give me reviews and I might update faster

Chapter 10 – # 110 - Hormones and neighborly courtesy

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#110

You like it rough, I'll give it to you.

I'll drug you if I have to, drag you somewhere and tie you down.

You will bleed out slowly, drop by delicious drop.

I'll be watching, I'll be waiting.

In the end, I'll get what's mine and you'll get yours.

Note #110 was waiting for Edward inside his guitar case.

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XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

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FOREVER_DAWN

Rockin out tonight at Forever Dawn with the awesome Eddie Masen!…

3:15 PM July 23h from Web

Had an ace Weekend with The awesome Deportees and Volterra. 2 amazing bands, 2 amazing nights!...

4:53 PM July 21st from Web

Just about to get started tonight with our Masquerade themed performance by Nightmare Show.

2:32 PM July 30th from Web

A MASSIVE thank you to everybody who came to the spectacular show last night!…

3:38 PM July 17th fro from Web

Eddie Masen officially blew away Forever Dawn tonight! A total sell out! Its been an ace night all round,...

5:22 PM July 16th from Web

Get down to Forever Dawn tonight for our Thursday night performance by awesome Eddie Masen and Jasper Whitlock...

11:02 AM July 12th from Web

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After a week and a half of hectic preparations the time had finally come to put the next phase of the plan in motion. Edward had made the suggested changes to his living arrangements and was now living in his brother's spare room. He had made the move less than 48 hours after the whole guard dog failure. Bella had followed suit and moved into the very same building five days later and was now ready to 'work' her first shift at the gym come Monday morning.

This night however was a Thursday night which meant show time. Arizona Bell Hawkins was about to make her first official appearance. Edward's standing Thursday gig at Forever Dawn provided the perfect opportunity for her to meet his friends and put faces to some of the names featured in the investigation.

Infiltrating his inner circle was an important part of the assignment and Bella was a tad bit nervous, but just a tad... It was crucial for the case that her true identity remained unknown. All the necessary precautions had been taken. Her trademark dark eyes and long brown hair were hidden respectively by colored lenses and a short edgy, jet black, haircut. She had changed her name, changed her appearance, changed her style, but with a background like hers there was always a slight chance that someone would recognize her, either as governor Dwyer's supportive step daughter or the media shy widow of the legendary Jacob Black.

Bella arrived late on purpose hoping to draw as little attention to herself as possibly. The place was surprisingly crowded for a weeknight. Alice had warned her that Edward and Jaspers little jam sessions were quite popular but that still didn't prepare her for the surge of energy that seemed to radiate from crowd as she entered the club.

The boys had already entered the stage and were in the middle of their set by the sound of things. Bella had no trouble recognizing the voice blaring out of the speakers. It was soulful and haunting, just the way she remembered it.

She noted that his eyes were downcast and closed tightly, but that his fingers never hesitated as they danced over the keys of the piano.

She had heard Edward play and sing on several occasions in their youth, the last time being at a party just a few days prior to their high school graduation. God, it seemed like a lifetime ago now. A lot of things had changed since then, including the musician on the stage before her. Or maybe it was just her perception of him that had changed? He looked more mature now, more comfortable in his own skin and slightly more comfortable on the stage.

Almost as if he knew he was being watched Edward lifted his gaze. For some strange reason Bella felt her breath hitch as his bright green eyes scanned the audience. She knew he probably couldn't see a thing past the stage light, yet there was a brief moment, a split second, where she could have sworn his eyes locked with hers and… hang on… was that a wink? Or was it a figment of her imagination? Either way Edward definitely seemed more comfortable in the spotlight these days.

His performance was as captivating as always. Bella waited until the final note of the last song resonated throughout the club before she ordered herself a drink and approached the group of people she recognized as his family and friends.

She knew her arrival was bound to raise some curiosity and suspicion. Alice proved to be a big help, handling all the introductions and most of the talking, socializing like a pro. All Bella had to do was to shake a few hands and exchange some polite words here and there as they mingled their way through the night.

Alice only left her side a handful of times, and only to sneak in few dances with her boyfriend. It was during one of those rare occasions Bella decided to strike up a conversation with Edward. It would look odd if they avoided each other the entire night, yet it was important that they kept a certain amount of distance at this point. The story they were planting was that they barely knew each other, that their only connection was Alice and that they had only met in person once or twice prior to moving into the same building.

Accidentally-on-purpose she bumped against his arm lightly as she walked passed him after having refilled her drink in the bar.

"Hi there neighbor! Did you enjoy the show," he asked as he steadied her with his hands on her upper arms.

She suppressed a shudder, but her voice was coldly calm as she answered. "I did. I'm quite impressed actually. Who would have guessed Alice's scrawny kid brother would grow up to become such a heartbreaker."

"Yeah well, not so scrawny anymore," Edward replied with a crocked smile and flexed his arm to show a hint of a bicep. "…and don't call me heartbreaker, cause you broke mine first."

Bella very ungracefully choked on her drink at that last comment. This was not part of the cover story they had agreed on. "I very much doubt that," she managed to get out in between coughs. "I have only ever met you twice in all the years I've known Alice," she reminded him once she had regained her composure.

"What can I say, I was young and impressionable and twice was more than enough to set my teenage heart afire."

Bella shot him a stern look. He was messing with her and she didn't much appreciate it. The post show adrenaline buzz he had going was making him reckless.

"Nice try, Romeo, but I'm not buying it," she said, pointing a finger to his chest. "It is, however, nice to see you again and nice to see that you're making a name for yourself," she added and give him a quick pat-on-the-back-one-armed-hug.

"Aww, come on is that the best you can do?," he complained, as his arm darted out, grabbing her wrist and pulling her closer.

His sudden movement caught Bella off guard and before she knew what had happened she found herself pressed up against his chest. It was a very well defined, firm, masculine chest she noted before she caught herself and pulled away.

He let her go but not without kissing her first. It wasn't much of a kiss really, just a quick peck on the lips but it went way beyond neighborly courtesy.

WHOA… there was that shudder again…

Startled, she jerked backwards, her hand going to her face. Hormones, she told herself, taking a deep breath, you're a victim of your own hormones. Months without sex was starting to take its toll on her. That was all it was…

Yep, this was going to be a tough assignment… For more reasons than one…