CHAPTER 10

BATTLELINES

A/N—Okay. A lot going on here. There are multiple people present and Edward can hear their thoughts too. I think you will be able to tell whose thoughts he reveals but if you can't pinpoint one, let me know. I hope you enjoy.

Fifteen minutes later, everyone is seated at our rarely used, but large dining room table.

"So, I understand you're from California, Paige?" Esme asks, interrupting what had been an uncomfortable silence. We try our best to look as if we are eating the Salmon and salad on our plate during the uneasy exchange.

"Yes, I grew up in San Diego."

"Is that where you attended college?" I ask, even though I know the answer. I had paid attention to the diplomas in her office. I prefer talking as it gives me an excuse to not appear as if I am chewing food.

"Yes. I obtained my bachelor's and master's degrees in U.S. History from the University of California, San Diego. I then attended Stanford for law school. I was hired at a Seattle based firm right out of law school and just four years later, I was hired by the hospital."

"You were a history major?" We all look up in surprise. Not that it is an odd question. What is shocking is that it came from Jasper. He can always be counted on to be quiet and to pointedly ignore conversation with visitors whenever possible.

"Yes," she smiles sheepishly. "It was my way of indulging a little bit of an obsession I have. I'm a bit of a history buff, especially American History."

"Really? I majored in History as well, with an emphasis on the American Civil War."

"Oh my stars! I wrote my master's thesis on the battles fought on the Gulf of Mexico and how they shaped the direction of the war."

Jasper immediately sits up straighter. "Well, then you probably know something about the New Year's Day battle in Galveston?"

"Oh yes, of course. The confederates under Major General Magruder chased out occupying Union troops," Paige responds excitedly. Jasper smiles and he and Paige are soon engrossed in their discussion of Civil War battles.

There is very little other discussion at the table and the rest of us take advantage of hiding our food as Jasper keeps Paige occupied with their lively conversation. My family's thoughts are varied.

Oh Jesus. This is more boring than the feminism thing. I'm missing Monday Night Football for this?

Another civil war nerd, huh? Jasper looks like he's about to jizz in his pants.

Homewrecker! I mean, does she want all of our men?

God, my Esme is a beautiful woman. She lights up the room with her presence alone.

Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky... Only Alice is actively blocking me.

I turn my attention to the person whose thoughts I can't hear. I smile at Bella and grasp her hand under the table. She smiles back. Then with a mischievous glint in her eye, she leans over and whispers in my ear, "By the way, I like your balls." Emmett snickers, but the rest of my family have the grace to pretend they did not hear her sexually suggestive comment. I stare into her eyes, relishing the moment between us.

"Edward, did you hear me?" Paige asks, and I realize from her thoughts she has just asked me about coming to the office earlier on Wednesday.

"Umm, sure. I can be there by noon," I say, trying to hide my annoyance at being torn from my moment with Bella.

"Great. I'm filing the injunction petition in the morning and the owners of Club Base will be served by the end of the day. I want to start researching and gathering statistics to support our arguments right away. I will need your help with that."

Bella's fork plummets loudly to her plate. "Wait, what club did you say?"

"Club Base. It's a rap nightclub on Miner's Cove Blvd."

"I know where it is! That club is a client of the firm I work at!"

What the hell? What are the chances?

Bella turns to me. "You're going to help to further target the club? I told you the owners have been targeted by discrimination!"

"Bella, I had no idea it was the same club involved here. You mentioned something about a club being targeted by police because of the African-American clientele. What Paige described to me is a completely different situation. Right?" I turn to Paige, to gain her confirmation.

"I did hear that racial discrimination is one of the complaints lodged by the owners and that is why the City pulled back, but I can assure you our lawsuit has nothing to do with race. This is about patient care and that club being a nuisance to the surrounding area." Paige's words are spoken with equal conviction.

"Really?" Bella asks. "Are you sure that is the motivation. Because when that club was an 80's pop music theme club, none of the neighbors complained. It re-opens as a Hip-Hop club, and complaints start immediately."

Paige takes a moment, gathering her thoughts before she responds. She is polite yet firm. "Bella, I really don't think it's the appropriate time or place for us to discuss the impending lawsuit. The courts will settle this. And of course Edward, given your relationship with Bella, I will understand if you don't want to work on this now."

"Of course he's not going to work on it! Edward, you don't want to see the club closed down because it's music happens to be popular with African-Americans, do you?"

"Bella, I really don't think that is what is going on here. The hospital is just concerned about patient care," I defend.

Bella stares at me for 48 seconds, saying nothing. Everyone else is silent and I block out their thoughts as I stare back at Bella, waiting for her to respond. I admire her for her passion, but she is really being unfair in her characterization of the hospital as a bunch of bigots.

"I see," she finally says.

Paige speaks up. "Look, Edward, I appreciate your support, but I don't think it's a good idea for you to work on this. It would be tough on both of you, having to keep secrets from each other just adds unnecessary stress. I can find another project for you to work on."

Paige has a point. I am considering agreeing with her.

"Don't be silly, Paige. If Edward wants to work on the case, he can. Edward and I can both be professional. We won't discuss our clients with each other." Bella's words are forced. Her stiff posture and clenched fists reveal her discomfort with the idea.

Paige is clearly offering me a way out. She stares at me and asking me with her eyes if this is something I really want to do.

Most of my family members are not even breathing, waiting for what I will say. I can tell from their thoughts, that they expect me to do what will make Bella happy. To give in…again. And suddenly, I don't want to. I want to help the hospital. I agree with its decision to file for the injunction.

I speak up clearly and keep it simple. "I'm good at research and compiling statistics. I will help. Neither Bella nor I will discuss the case together."

My announcement is met with silence except for scattered thoughts.

That is very brave of you, son.

Oh my God. You're never going to have sex again.

I wonder if Paige would like to look at my Civil War memorabilia collection.

"Okay," Paige says quietly. "I guess that's settled."

Esme, trying to dispel the feeling of uneasiness that has settled around the table, stands up. "Enough work talk! Can I interest anyone in dessert? I made brownies."

"Thank you Esme, but I usually skip dessert," Paige says politely. "I really should be going. It's getting late. I have really enjoyed meeting you all and dinner was just fantastic." Paige stands, along with the rest of us as we disperse from the table.

"I will walk you to your car," Jasper offers. He is intent on inviting her to look at his collection sometime.

As soon as the door shuts behind her, it is as if the entire room breathes a collective sigh of relief. I'm feeling a little bit in shock over my decision at dinner. The practical part of me is wondering why the hell I would agree to do something I know is just going to anger Bella. It's not as if I need the work. I can volunteer on another project. But that dignified voice in me just doesn't want to say, "Yes, Bella" again. Why shouldn't I work on the project I want to work on? I would never suggest Bella quit her job simply because I disagreed with her client's position.

As we move toward the living room, Emmett moves to turn on the TV. He is the least affected by the tension in the air.

"Well, this should be interesting. You go and volunteer to work on a case against Bella," Rosalie says, crossing her arms over her chest.

"It's a coincidence. That's all," I say as nonchalantly as possible. I am standing against the wall as Bella has moved to sit on the sofa. Her gaze is focused on the wall and she will not look at me.

"Thank you for the dinner Esme. It was delicious," Bella says softly.

"You're welcome dear. I'm just sorry that horrid woman was intent on ruining it," Esme says bitterly as she moves to sit beside Bella and put her arms around her.

"I thought Paige was quite nice," Jasper says as he walks back in.

"Because she went on and on about the Civil War," Alice says. She is sitting on the staircase and has been practically silent the entire evening.

"So what is wrong with that? Does it make her a bad person because she is interested in something as historically important as the Civil War?" Jasper defends.

"Oh Jasper, don't be naïve. No one cares that much about the Battle of Galveston, dear," Esme says evenly. "The woman is clearly just an insatiable flirt."

"Wait. Is this what you were mad about Alice?" Jasper asks, strolling swiftly toward Alice. He reaches out and lifts her chin so that she is looking at him. "Darling, you know I only have eyes for you."

Rosalie speaks up. "Esme's right. She is such a goody goody fake. I mean who says 'Oh my stars'?"

"Damn. Did you see that pass by Favre? The man's arm is unbelievable," Emmett exclaims suddenly, essentially oblivious to all of the drama going on around him.

Bella scoffs, following up on Rosalie's last statement. "Remember when she said she wishes things could return to a gentler time when women were women, and men were men? Give me a break."

Rosalie laughs. "I know. How far back does she want to go in her little fantasy? Do we get to keep the right to vote?" All of the women join in laughing with Rosalie.

Carlisle is intently staring at the football game on TV, but his thoughts reveal he believes the comments are unfair and slightly petty. Emmett's thoughts, however, are solely on the game. He is seemingly unconcerned with anything else. Jasper is staring at Alice, willing her to see his love and devotion for her in his eyes. However, he cringes in his thoughts, as he also believes Paige is being unfairly attacked.

I know I shouldn't say anything. Even Carlisle and Jasper, who share my beliefs, seem wise enough not to speak up. They are planning to just let the women have their say. I can't even pinpoint what is forcing me to speak up, but I just know I have to.

"You're all being just a bit unfair, don't you think?"

Rosalie, Esme and Bella turn their heads sharply to take me in after I speak up, surprised at my words. Alice doesn't move her gaze from Jasper. She's not surprised.

"Paige came here at our invitation. She was polite, gave smart opinions about a variety of topics, and was in turn respectful of your opinions; even if they were not the same as hers."

Jesus Eddie. Suicide. Oh my God, I can't believe he dropped that pass. Minnesota is done.

Maybe you should let this go, son.

Edward's right. Jasper agrees with me, but he is more concerned with Alice at this moment.

After only the slightest of hesitation, I speak up again. "Does she really deserve your scorn? Your jealousy?"

"Edward, I think maybe you're confusing disgust at her salivating over you and Jasper with jealousy. They are not the same thing." Bella's words are soft, but laced with suppressed anger.

"Jealousy?" Rosalie scoffs, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Why would I be jealous of her? My man was the only one she doesn't seem interested in trying to take." Probably realized I would kick her ass if she made a move on him.

She flirts with Jasper but not me? Yeah, what the hell was up with that?

"I can hear her thoughts remember? I assure you she was not flirting with anyone. She was not being fake. She was actually quite genuine in her comments."

Why is it so hard to believe she might actually find Civil War battles interesting? It's fascinating!

"Well, I see you're quite impressed with your new boss," Bella says. "I'm sure you just loved all of that talk about women being submissive to men."

"That is not what she was saying, Bella. She was just making an observation that there is nothing wrong with a man wanting to protect and provide for the woman he loves. It's a natural instinct, love. Trust me."

"Protect and provide? Don't you mean control and dictate?"

God, she is making me angry with this. "No, I don't," I say through gritted teeth. "Why do you insist on twisting something that is motivated by love and devotion into something sinister?"

"Why are you not happy unless you are controlling me?"

That's it. Jasper visibly flinches with the wave of indignant anger that rolls off of me at her words.

"Control you? Bella is that a serious statement?" My voice is calm. Deceptively calm.

E/N- Uh oh. Is this the showdown everyone has been waiting on? Will Edward finally get at least one of his balls back? Stay tuned for more.

Got to get my thanks out. You know about the team: Sis, Eviekinz, Lemonmartinis, Sis from another Miz...they are all so supportive of the story and really help to get these chapters out to you in a timely and quality fashion. And they work cheap. Thank you so much!

As a reminder, I post a teaser on the forum, usually a day or two before the chapter is posted.

Thank you all for your reviews, recs, and adding this story to your favs. I know Bella can be tough to take sometimes. An outtake in Alice's POV is coming up soon. Be on the lookout for it. It might give you some insight in what is motivating some of Bella's behavior.

All things Twilight belong to SM(except for that bitch Paige Sweeney…lol).