Chapter Thirteen: Labyrinth

"November Rain" by Guns 'N' Roses

~Agent Cullen~

"Charles get down!" I shouted as bullets whizzed by our heads.

"We gotta get the fuck out of here E."

She was a good shot I had to give her that. As soon as I knew the gig was up, I'd slipped out in the middle of the night only for her to nearly take my head off and in place of it the top of a column at Johan's mansion.

"Fuck. We need extraction now."

I ducked as I heard more bullets pepper the car and I quickly pulled my phone from my pocket to dial in.

After quickly making the call, my shoulder slammed into the door as Charles took another curb at lightning speed.

We were screwed if we didn't get out of the streets of Rio.

I quickly shed the monkey suit I was wearing and put on my Kevlar vest. Charles took another hard turn causing me to slam into the door and I cursed as my shoulder stung a bit.

"Sorry." Charles cringed as he took another turn and then suddenly came to a screeching halt.

"Ok E, man we gotta haul ass."

I could hear the chopper in the distance and quickly grabbed my gun and my bag.

We sprinted up the outside steps of a worn down building, only to see two Mercedes suddenly stop below us.

"Fuck, go man!" Charles shouted as we dodged bullets and finally climbed on the roof. In a matter of seconds the helicopter set down and I sprinted under cover of fire to it only to dive in and throw my bag.

Charles was right behind me but suddenly cried out in pain as he climbed in.

The chopper took off into the Rio night, but I grabbed his arm and pressed my hand to the blood now pouring out of it.

"I'm fine man, I'm fine. It's probably just a flesh wound." He cringed, but I kept my pressure on it.

"You think they got him?" I asked over the roar of the chopper.

"Yeah, I think they did. I saw her running out as we left the mansion. I'm pretty sure she was always one step ahead of him."

I nodded, hoping that was the case. But tiredness was also starting to set in after almost a year under cover. I laid back and let the hum of the chopper lull me until we landed in Venezuela.

My eyes shot open as I thought back on my extraction from Brazil. Charles was a British agent I had met there. We came to understand that we were trying to take down the same criminals and worked together. He wasn't my partner per se, but when it all blew up at the end, we got out together.

I hadn't spoken to him since, but I knew he got out of intelligence after that mission. He thought the shot in his arm was just a flesh wound, but it got infected and he ended up having nerve damage in his arm. As far as I knew, he was still off the grid.

I had only been under for ten months in Brazil. But in that time I'd become a trusted member of Johan's circle and unfortunately too close with Zoraida.

Her long black hair teased me from the corners of my mind—though not in that way.

Instead it made me wonder: why come back now? Why not do it sooner? Was this all my fault? Could I have somehow prevented it?

Yet, I felt if she wanted to kill me she would have either done it already or been much more discrete about it.

I rolled on to my side to see Bella sleeping soundly next to me. I thought back on our conversation in my office on Monday.

Raven was dead.

Two of our agents were dead.

So was it something else? Were we scratching at the surface yet again of a much larger organization? Clearly, there were several in play together.

I lay back and stared at the ceiling and thought of all of the connections:

The Jaguars were run out of Miami by Zoraida—at least it appeared that way.

From what I found out from our analysts that week, it looked like there were two Russos. The older one, was indeed an enforcer in his prime, but was likely Bella's great uncle and too old for that sort of thing.

The other one though, was far more dangerous. He was the one wanted by Interpol and by the entire European secret agency network. He was also the far more lethal one. As Bella had thought, he looked similar to her brother, but with striking red hair. We believed he was the older Russo's son.

I thought I couldn't be surprised by anything at this point. I thought I wouldn't be able to believe another connection related to Bella, but I was.

She was a direct descendant of both the Mancini and Volturi crime families—two of the most notorious and far-reaching crime families of the twentieth century.

Yet here we lay.

I lightly brushed the hair back from her face as she sighed in her sleep. To think that this amazing woman could share blood with people so…evil, was beyond comprehension.

I looked at the clock, realizing that at 4:30 I might as well get up as I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep.

I quietly snuck up to our security center and logged in to my system. I felt like the knight or the king on a chess board, as though everyone else was moving around me, but I also wasn't the one ultimately being protected. I couldn't place the feeling and it was maddening. Usually I could figure out how every piece fit together. But this time, I couldn't. Because as much as they all fit, they didn't.

Bella and I had revisited Grandma Lucy's, Nonna's, diaries over the week to look for any more clues. The only things we could continue to connect were the names we had already read.

Volturi- to her father Mancini- literally the Italian crime boss based out of Naples, Italy.

Johan, the Brazilian head of mafia, and lately it appeared Zoraida in Miami.

My grandfather, the head of the Northeast United States and Northern European crime families.

The Draconis, head of the Eastern European crime families.

But there was one remaining that we had not figured out, a Spaniard. When we first read the diaries, I had lumped Johan and the Spaniard together, I thought they were one of the same. But the more we read, I felt as though they were different. I felt as though there was one string pulling all of them together.

I had done a stint in Spain, just a short three month assignment. But I had only been involved with taking down a businesswoman who had been planning to flip on the FBI. I'd tried to think back on any possible indicators from it, but nothing stuck out.

In fact most of my assignments between Brazil and Romania were short three monthers. I had a few in Russia and Poland, one in Germany and another in Greece. But again, nothing stuck out or seemed to connect in any way.

I was beyond frustrated.

I was beyond torn.

I was beyond…all of it. I was like a caged lion, backed into a corner and ready to strike out at any moment. Though I had to push it all down now because my number one priority was no longer a mission or a target…

It was my family. My little boy and my little girl sleeping down the hall, the love of my life curled up in our bed. My parents in their home in the Hamptons, only wanting to finally enjoy their retirement. My sister, who had two beautiful girls of her own and my brother-in-law Jasper.

And Eliot and Ailey and all of our extended family in between.

I was in limbo and I hated it. I hated it.

I wanted to go back. I needed to go back. Though everything in my brain said that it wasn't the right decision, my gut said it was. My gut said that this entire situation revolved around me. Somehow, the entire investigation seemed connected to me.

Not Bella, strangely.

But me.

I shook off an eerie feeling as I checked the monitors, seeing nothing suspicious, and then closed down to head downstairs. I heard a murmur through the monitor as I walked through the bedroom. Bella was still asleep so I decided to check on Lucy myself.

As I peeked in her crib, Lucy smiled up at me, all gummy baby smile. She was four months old and starting to develop a personality. She cooed up at me and I melted at her smile as I reached in to pick her up.

"Mijn Meisje, what are you doing awake?" I snuggled her close to me as she put her hand on my face and gurgled at me.

For as hard of a baby as Eric was, Lucy was a dream. I knew she was probably hungry, so I cuddled her close and walked downstairs to the kitchen to warm up a bottle.

As the bottle warmer hummed and bubbled, I rubbed her cheek and she wrapped her tiny fingers around my thumb. If it came to me or this tiny, amazing little being in my arms, I would give my life for her. I would give my life for any of them.

The warmer beeped and I grabbed Lucy's bottle and made my way to the living room. I sat down in the chair and snuggled her close as she ate. I thought about the future, about taking her to school for the first time, her first tooth, her first boyfriend (sigh), her first dance, and sending her off to college, and even (if I could handle it) walking her down the aisle at her wedding.

Would I be here for that?

Would I give up being here for all of that so that she could have it?

I was strangely calm as I thought about it. Like the parallels with Bella's grandmother, I couldn't help but wonder if I wasn't in a similar position to her grandfather, Patrick Swan. We had learned over the years that he had most likely given up his life to save Luciana and Charlie and his brother. He knew something and yet he selflessly drove himself off a bridge into the cool depths of the Hudson River taking all that he knew with him.

Now, what I would give to have him sitting here. I could feel it in my bones, as I was on the cusp of a similar decision.

I decided to join the mission that was most assuredly going to be heading to Europe soon. Would I only have days left with my family?

"Hey." Bella's voice pulled me from my thoughts and I looked up to see her sleepy form walking into the room.

"Why are you up so early?"

"This little one was stirring." I shrugged and noticed that she had drifted back off to sleep. In all of my thoughts and memories I realized I had been staring at her for several minutes, her bottle long finished and her eyes closed and snoozing against my chest.

"She loves her Daddy." Bella sighed as she kissed her fluffy hair and rubbed her fingers down her cheek.

I swallowed and looked back down at her. She was becoming a spitting image of Bella, dark hair, dark eyes and creamy skin. Bella would have to beat the boys away some day.

I wouldn't tell her that I was thinking of it that way.

"Hey, what's troubling you Apollo?" Bella asked as she ran her hands through my hair.

As I looked back up at her, the quiet of the room settled around us. She was beautiful in the moonlight. She was always beautiful. Her hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders. Her tank top and boy shorts left little to the imagination, but I knew what was under them.

Yet her face held concern as she sat down on the arm of the chair next to me and put her arm around my shoulders as I held our sleeping baby.

I sucked in a breath as I prepared to tell her what I was thinking. I was getting better at communicating, but I wanted to protect her so badly that I still had a hard time telling her the things that were going through my head.

"Final orders are coming out today. Garrett told me." I stated and I heard her breath hitch. "They're bringing in Seth, Liam, Riley, and three of the other guys that worked on a few of the related missions.

"Okay…" She paused and turned to look at me. "And what about you?" She finally asked.

I stopped breathing for a moment. I licked my lips and looked in the distance before turning my face back to the sleeping beauty in my arms.

"I'm going too, Liefje."

*&^%$#

"Dad?" I called through the house and didn't hear an answer.

"Mom?" I walked further into the living room, finally seeing the curtains billowing from the back deck and determined they were probably outside.

"Edward?" I turned to see my Mom walk out of the kitchen with two drinks in her hands. "What are you doing here?"

I smiled halfheartedly. "Hi, where's Dad?"

"Out on the patio." She stated, but I could see the instant concern sweep across her face.

"Good."

I followed her out to the patio, only ready to make my fourth of four stops today. It never got any easier. But I had already stopped at Alice and Jasper's house, then Angela and Ben's.

Even Mijn Broer's grave.

As I shook my father's hand, I saw the look of inquisition on his face and then sat down in the chair. The ocean waves were slowly crashing against the shore, creating a smooth albeit a bit unnerving cadence to for what I needed to do.

We made small talk for a few minutes, getting up to speed on how they had been keeping themselves busy the last few weeks since I had seen them at Halloween for trick or treating with Eric.

"You know when you all come out for Thanksgiving, I think it would be fun to make that sand…" I heard my mother trail off and I paused. I could feel them looking at me as I rubbed my fingers across the glass of Ketel One in my hand.

"Edward?" My dad asked then.

"I'm going back." Was all I could stutter out and I heard my Mom suck in a breath.

I eyed her as she looked at my father, her gaze holding his for longer that I could handle. Until she finally stood up and set her glass down.

"I…I can't." She paused and I could see tears fill her eyes as she pushed her chair away from the table and walked away.

I watched her form go into the house as I turned back to my father and I could see the solemn look in his eyes.

"Dad."

"Are you sure about this Edward?" He whispered, his eyes and face wrought with worry and tension.

"I have to Dad….I …I have to."

"But what about Eric and Lucy? What about Bella?" He asked.

I blew out a breath and leaned my elbows on the table. "I'm afraid if I don't go, then we will never be safe Dad."

"But why you, Edward? You've put in your time. It doesn't have to be you."

"I think it does, Dad. I think…" I stopped and looked off in the distance at the waves hitting the shore. "I think whatever is happening, whoever is after us, is really after me."

"So you're just going to march into the lion's den?" He argued. My father rarely raised his voice or got upset, but I could see him visibly disagreeing with me.

"Edward, it's only been a couple of months. Don't you usually have to case these things for years? I'm no expert, but I feel like you were much more prepared for your other missions."

"I know. I agree with you, but Dad…I can't explain it. I feel like I need to go, like I am the only one who can break this case. I think I saw something, or know something that will make it all come together."

My father sighed and turned to look at the ocean as well. "Well I guess you made up your mind. I obviously can't stop you, I never could. But I think you know what you have on the line now."

I nodded and swallowed.

"We'll be here for Bella and the kids, you just need to do everything you can to make it back to them." He turned and held my gaze.

I stood up then, not having much else to say. It was the same conversation with the rest of my family, my friends. But I had to do it. I couldn't explain it.

My father stood up and followed me into the house and to the door. The mood of their beautiful beach home had shifted. It was somber as my Mom came to the door as well. She had tears in her eyes and her shoulders shook with emotion.

"When do you leave?" My Mom finally asked.

"Two days."

My Mom closed her eyes and tears streamed down her cheeks. I gave them both hugs and turned to open the door.

"I love you." I sighed and closed the door behind me.

As I walked to the car I turned to look at them, hoping it wouldn't be the last time I would see them. It was so different from my other missions. In the past when I walked away, I couldn't wait to run from the pain and the sadness that home held for me. But this time, home was my anchor and I was going toward the pain, toward the unknown. It was much scarier.

I gave them a small wave and climbed in the car, hoping it wouldn't be the last time I would see them.

*&^%$#

"So you think they took out Raven because he knew something?" Garrett asked me as he stared out the window into the dreary, rainy day.

We had just finished analyzing the documents, pictures and diagrams for the fifth time in as many days. I nodded, thinking it was the only way. That or he got tied in with someone and double crossed them.

We were briefing for the mission on Sunday afternoon and I would be taking a redeye that night so that I could arrive in Spain in the morning.

We were going in separately. I was obviously going in alone and going through Spain. I was going to connect with Eleazar first. He had been an intricate part of our take down in Brazil and I couldn't help but wonder if there was a connection between his involvement then and the mission now.

It had also come to light in the last few weeks that Kebi had been spotted in Italy. I knew now that Johan, and by extension Zoraida, did business with my Grandfather. I wasn't sure if they wanted me taken out because my mission had obliterated most of their Northeast contingent, of it was something deeper.

I was also suspicious of Volturi. Was he planning to rise to power due to the vacuum left in the wake of my Grandfather's takedown? Was he now reconnecting with old ties in Italy? Where did Kebi fit in to the picture?

Before I could spin my wheels anymore, Seth, Liam and Riley walked in. The other three agents had already been dispatched to Italy to investigate the Raven situation.

Seth and Liam were planning to check on some financing that we found tying the multiple organizations to Switzerland. Then they would be making their way into Italy to hook up with low level mafia there. Their cover was as drug smugglers per usual, but they were also looking into an angle on black market mineral trade. Blood diamonds were still a huge black market seller in Europe as well as Gold, Platinum and Lithium used in tech.

Finally, Riley was charged with finding and tailing Zoraida—if she was even in Europe still.

I couldn't follow her. Yet Riley hadn't been involved in any of the missions connected to the investigation yet so he offered a fresh face and new perspective. If he was not able to infiltrate through whatever organization she was working with, he would meet up with Liam and Seth in Italy in a few weeks.

Me, well, I would be going in covertly as an assassin yet again. Yet, I was hoping to find some sort of connection with a Spaniard, more importantly the Spaniard that Luciana spoke of in her journals.

We had some leads—though pretty thin—that a small operation still ran out of Galicia. During the mid to late twentieth century, the Spanish mafia was run out of Galicia. But when the Mancini's went down in Italy, the Spanish mafia also quietly disintegrated.

Or so we thought.

Galicia was on the northern tip of Spain, directly north of Portugal and one of the furthest eastern ports of contact for those coming from the West to Europe. It was a natural shipping point and a natural area for black market trafficking as it provided a point to connect Europe and Africa with shipping to the West.

Once I saw the intel on some recurrence of the mafia in Galicia, I'd recalled an interesting conversation I'd had with Eleazar after my mission in Brazil…

"You did well in Brazil, Edward." Eleazar stated as the waiter brought our drinks.

"How did…?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "Do you think I just sit on a bluff in San Martin sipping Aguardiente?"

"Why do you do it?" I asked him as the amber liquid burned down my throat.

Eleazar smiled his easy smile. "Edward. I have more money that God himself. Why not do it? I funnel millions of dollars into good causes. I could give and give and give money away all day and still not make a dent. But something like this, I can make a dent. I can actually see the effects."

"C'mon Eleazar there has to be more to it than that?" I pushed him as I leaned forward. The hum of the restaurant around us and the darkness of the wood gave a quiet stillness to our conversation.

I could see his black eyes dancing for a moment, as though he was thinking about just how much he wanted to tell me.

"Why are you in the FBI, Edward?"

"I wanted to serve." I shrugged.

He arched an eyebrow at me and took a sip of his drink.

I blew out a breath and closed my eyes before responding.

"I want to kill them—all of them: anyone who deals in the underworld, who trades people and guns and weapons as though it's candy. I want to avenge the deaths of our innocent civilians on every corner of this planet."

"Especially your brother's?" He remarked and my eyes shot to his.

"How did you?"

"Come now Edward, I'm a smart man with my hand in every type of technology from here to Egypt, but a Google search could give me that information." He quipped.

"Then why did you ask."

"Because I wanted to see just how far you would go for family. It's the same thing that drives all of us."

"What's that?"

"Blood."

I wasn't sure exactly what drove Eleazar to do what he did. But I had a sneaking suspicion it tied to a certain someone, though I'd never been able to draw out of him.

Regardless, Eleazar had bankrolled countless U.S. missions. The Bureau would often use him because he could provide funds that were untraceable to those who had a keen interest. His technological empire was so expansive that it would take twelve FBI Agencies to track down all of the connections.

It was part of the reason I asked him to outfit my entire home and car to keep my family safe.

"Well, are we ready?" Garrett asked as we looked at the documents spread across the table.

"As I'll ever be." Seth said. "You're not going this time old man?" Seth teased him then.

"'Fraid not. Kate and I just found out that we have been chosen as adoptive parents and we will be the proud parents of a little girl sometime next month."

"Wow, that's awesome Morgan. Congratulations." We each shook his hand and he nodded his thanks.

"I won't be doing any more field work after this. Twenty years is enough I think." He turned to give me a stern look and I swallowed, knowing exactly what he meant.

Seth, Liam and Riley readied to leave and we each gave our best wishes and "be carefuls" before we reconnected in Europe. Seth gave me a man hug and a firm "be safe" before he walked out last.

I grabbed my bag, my new Glock, phone, computer and a number of other trinkets and got up to leave as well.

"Cullen." Morgan called after me as I reached for the door.

"I'm not sure what it is about this one, but something in me feels as though a cat is ready to pounce on its unsuspecting prey. So if something doesn't feel right, don't just forge ahead. It's ok to pull back from time to time. Be careful."

"I will be Morgan. I know what's at stake." I stated.

"I know you do and that's why I'm concerned about you getting blinded by your protectiveness."

"Garrett." I sighed.

"Listen Edward. I know I don't need to remind you what you're going into. I know you've seen everything. Yet no one has seen everything. Keep your eyes and your ears open…and goddamnit get yourself back to the States."

He clapped his hand on my shoulder and I nodded before walking out.

*&^%$#

When I arrived at home shortly before dinner, I heard Eric screeching and running from Bella in the kitchen.

"Daddy save me!" He giggled.

"Oooh, I'm going to get you now." Bella pretended to come after him and he squirmed and belly laughed in my arms.

Bella blew raspberries on his stomach until he was out of breath. I kissed him on the cheek and set him down so he could go off to play.

"Hey." Bella sighed as her smile turned into a look of concern.

"Hey." I reached for her and pulled her into my arms.

"How was your briefing?" She asked quietly as I held her close.

"Good. I'm as prepared as I can be." I shrugged.

"What time are you leaving?" She whispered.

"Midnight."

She nodded and stepped back from me to take a deep breath. "Ready to eat?"

"Yeah." I swallowed.

I stepped around Bella to help her get ready for dinner, trying my best to make the last hours I had with my family the best that I could. I made faces with Eric and held on to Lucy and kissed Bella as many times as possible.

As I rocked with Lucy, while Eric took a bath, I memorized every tiny line in her face, every wisp of her hair, the way her lips puckered in her sleep like her mother's and the way her brow furrowed from her dreams.

Soon, I kissed her head and walked in to the bathroom to get Eric ready for bed.

"Zoonie let's brush our teeth." I sang and danced with him to get him to brush before ruffling his blonde hair and taking him to bed.

After reading two stories and singing our songs, I tucked him in.

"Zoonie, I'm…I have to go away for a while." I swallowed. "For work."

"Where are you going?" His sweet voice asked and I reached up to run my fingers through the blonde curls again.

"I'm going across the ocean. I'm gonna ride on an airplane."

"An airplane! Cool! Can I come?" He said excitedly.

"Maybe next time Zoonie." I smiled. "But I need you to do something for me."

"What Daddy?"

"You're going to be the biggest guy around when I'm gone so I need you to be Momma's helper. Can you do that for me?"

"Yup. Momma already told me I get to be her special helper."

"Good, so you need to be a very good listener for her and help her with Lucy okay?" I sighed and kissed his forehead. "I know you are the best big brother and the best son Daddy could ever ask for…" I stopped, my words getting caught in my throat. "I'm going to see you real soon Zoonie okay."

"Okay Daddy."

"You just remember, no matter what, I love you to the moon and back. You're my big guy right?"

"Right Daddy, I'm the biggest."

With that, Eric wrapped his arms around my neck and I breathed in his scent, letting it fill my nostrils and my mind so that I could carry it with me over the next few weeks.

I kissed him again and tucked him in before stepping out of the room and leaning against the wall. This was so much harder than it had ever been before. Walking away from my son, my daughter- they were the world to me.

Suddenly I got an idea. I heard the shower running in our room, so I hurried up to my security chamber where I had my laptop.

I put it on video and blew out a breath before I hit the button to record.

"Bella, Eric, Lucy…" I began.

For the next fifteen minutes I let my mind and my heart pour out every ounce of love and emotion that I could into the screen. By God if something happened to me, they had to know why I went and how much I loved them. That I was going for them, that I was going to do everything I could to come back to them, but if I didn't then I wanted them to all live.

When I finished, I quickly sent the file to my email at work and to both Garrett and Emmett. The title was self-explanatory and I wanted them to give it to Bella in the event something happened to me.

I looked at the clock and noticed it was almost nine. I would have to leave for the airport around ten. Though I didn't think there would be much traffic on a Sunday night and I had special clearance to get right through security.

As I stepped down the stairs, I heard music playing in our room and walked in to see a candle lit next to the bed.

Bella sat on the edge of the bed, her back to me, breathing shakily in only a black lace chemise.

I walked around to her and could see she was on the verge of crying. Her eyes filled with tears as I dropped to my knees before her and put my head in her lap. Her hands immediately went to my hair and she kneaded my scalp as my breaths became more staggered.

Without a word I moved up her body, breathing her in. From her stomach to her chest to her neck and up to her lips I inhaling deeply, burning her essence into me.

No words were spoken as I lifted the chemise and laid her back on the bed. Though tears were streaming down her face as she pulled me to her, I wanted—needed—one last moment with Mijn Vrouw before I left.

I kissed every single inch of her body over and over and over again.

Memorizing.

Tasting.

Absorbing every ounce of her being into my senses.

When we finally came together it was raw and we stared into each other's eyes. I prolonged it as long as I could, but my need to show her how much I loved her outweighed everything.

She sighed and trembled as I held her in my arms afterward until I finally had to get up to leave.

I took a quick shower and changed into my familiar uniform of a black shirt, pants, hat and leather jacket.

My duffle was packed by the door and Bella stood with her shoulder against the wall, eyes shining with tears until I pulled her to me. She'd told me she couldn't do a long drawn out good-bye, she couldn't prolong the process by going to the airport.

She wouldn't say good-bye at all in fact.

And I didn't blame her. I couldn't say those words either.

"I love you, Mijn Zon." I finally said and kissed her one last time before I turned the handle and left.

"I love you too." I heard her whisper before the latch clasped and I walked out into the November rain.

*&^%$#

I stood in line to board the plane, my heart and mind warring with one another as I prepared to make my exit.

Was I doing the right thing?

I was so sure of it the last few days. But now, as I inched my way toward the jet-way, I couldn't help but wonder if I'd made a mistake.

Every part of my being, every part of my soul knew that I left the best piece of me behind in Manhattan.

I had been a ghost before I met Bella. I had been chasing a memory, driven by anguish and revenge. She'd brought me out of the light and provided me with a new life, a new beginning. We had two amazing children and an amazing life together.

Why? Why did I feel compelled to go?

Because that amazing life and all that we had built was being threatened once again. And if I didn't go, if she was taken from me in some other way or someone hurt Eric or Lucy, I would never forgive myself.

That was what drew me forward.

Just as I was getting ready to hand my ticket to the flight attendant checking in each of the passengers, I heard a voice in the distance.

"Edward!"

I turned, the flight attendant giving me a strange look as I pulled my ticket back from boarding the plane.

"Edward!"

I heard her before I saw her. She stopped short right on the main walkway of the terminal as she looked frantically around her.

Quickly, I stepped out of line and walked away from the counter.

I stopped, a mere ten feet from her, seeing her chest heaving and her hair flowing down her back.

"Bella." I said quietly, but loud enough she turned quickly and looked at me.

I studied her, as though it was the first time at Gray's, as though it was the first time I saw her in the Greek and Roman exhibit at the Met—as though I might never see her again.

I studied her.

The dark chestnut of her hair, the soulfulness of her eyes, the flushed pink of her cheeks from running down the terminal. The way her chest heaved and her beautiful face flowed into her beautiful body that only I had explored night after night and day again for the last four and a half years.

"Edward." She whispered and her eyes filled with tears.

Yet we stood there, locked in our stances, passersby walking around us and through us as though we never existed.

Finally I swallowed, the dryness in my throat getting the best of me as it cracked when I finally spoke.

"You came?" I said quietly. Still not moving, still not reaching. Though I wanted to with every fiber of my being.

"Yes." She sighed and finally took the first step forward.

Before I could say another word I rushed to her and pulled her into my arms, my lips meeting hers in frenzy, right in the middle of the terminal walkway. I traced my tongue over her lips and pulled her head into both of my hands and tipped her head back as I kissed her with every single ounce of me.

Finally when I slowed, she put her hands on my face, the tears slowly tracking down her cheeks as she looked up at me. Dark brown with grass green, and leveling me with that stare. That stare that I would take with me day in and day out for who knew how long.

She licked her lips and I could see her steel her resolve as she leaned up to give me one more chaste kiss.

"I just had to tell you, come back to me." She pleaded.

"I will Liefje…I promise, I will." I sighed and crushed her body to me, hoping that it wouldn't be the last time I felt her chest against mine, the way she fit perfectly in my arms.

"I love you. I will love you forever. You're everything to me." She murmured and I heard the flight attendant call the final boarding announcement.

I glanced up to see I was the last person to get on the plane and caught the eye of the attendant who was looking at us curiously.

"I loved you before forever." I whispered and kissed her head. "Jij bent elk deel van mij en zonder jou ben ik niets."

With that I shuffled my duffle over my shoulder and turned to walk down the jet-way.

I couldn't look back.

I couldn't see her tears, or her face or feel the utter desperation in me that likely matched them.

But I could feel her. I could feel every part of her as I walked down that jet-way. My body taking me away from everything I had always wanted, yet everything I had to do this mission for to protect.

As I stepped on the plane and climbed into my first class seat board for Madrid, I just thought about her and I knew…I knew somehow, some way, I had to make it back.

*&^%$#

A/N: Well…he's off. Not like you didn't see that coming considering the title of the story. Not sure on updates, just watch your inbox I guess. Won't be far apart likely though, as I finally feel like I have this thing written in my head.

"Jij bent elk deel van mij en zonder jou ben ik niets." = You are every part of me and without you I'm nothing.

Til next time.

~AMJ