Happy Sunday! I hope that everyone is having a good one.

Thanks for all the continued support of this story as well as waiting an extra week for this chapter. I appreciate each and every review and alert!

An extra big thanks to LostIn PA this week for reading this one several times until I was done tweaking with it. :)

Chapter Thirteen: Rise Up

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

BPOV

Assassin.

Like a record skipping, the word repeats in my head. I accept that I live in a cruel world, but even the most jaded of people can be shaken.

Assassin.

The mounting suspicion is hard to ignore, someone connected to the CIA probably tried to kill Embry. Regardless of the reports, I always believed that his assault occurred because of the case he was working. Now it's becoming evident that it is the result of something much larger. The thought terrifies me. I should have caught it sooner. I should have known.

Assassin.

Leaning against the wall in the hallway, I gather strength before talking to Tyler. Logically, I know Edward is right, I have to ask Tyler about my past. However, emotionally, I'm nervous, my head pounding with a familiar ache.

"Pull it together."

There are many things that I stand my ground on with Tyler, talking about my past, however, is not one of them. Yet, to protect Embry, I would do almost anything. It's my duty. Pushing off the wall, I straighten my spine refusing to let anyone, even Tyler, deter me from figuring this out. Walking into the living room, I find him sitting, fiddling with his IV. He's probably bored out of his mind; the man has never been one to sit still for long.

"Bella!" he beams. I try not to waver at the sight.

"Hey, Tyler."

His smile quickly fades. "What's wrong?"

"We need to talk." Instead of the bed, I choose to sit on the couch across the room. Distance is good. "We have a problem."

"Okay," he says slowly, sitting a bit straighter.

"Do you know a guy named Michael Newton?"

His face remains neutral, but there is a slight twitch of his eye. His training may have taught him to cover his emotions, but mine taught me to detect them. "No."

He's lying.

Heat floods my body. We may argue and disagree, but we never lie to each other, or so I thought. "You sure?"

I neutralize my face, not wanting to give away that I know he's covering. We can play this his way, although he's stupid for trying. He should know that he cannot outwit me. I am the master of this game, regardless of how much it hurts to have to play it against my best friend.

He pauses, pretending to think. "Yes. Why?"

"It looks like he might be involved in this mess," I comment vaguely.

"He's associated with Laurent?" He seems genuinely surprised. My mind works to put the pieces together, determining my next move. If he knows Newton, he probably knows what he does for the CIA, but he obviously didn't expect him to have any connections to Laurent.

"It would appear. They have to be connected somehow since they are both trying to find us."

"Newton is trying to find you and me?" Another look of genuine surprise crosses his face.

"And Edward." I decide to withhold the rest of the details we learned from Jasper. Information is power.

"How do you know that he's looking for us?"

"Embry found some documents," I lie easily.

"Huh." His eyes shift subtly, a sign that he's trying to come up with something to say instead of being honest. "And they prove that he and Laurent are connected?"

"No. That's just circumstantial right now." If he's not going to show his hand then neither am I.

He shakes his head. "Bella, you should know better than to chase rabbit trails. Find the evidence first, and then make the conclusion. We don't have time for false assumptions."

My insides harden along with my eyes. "I'm not a trainee, Tyler. I don't need a lesson in investigation."

"Sounds like you do. Or is it Edward who is twisting your mind into this foolishness?"

"Foolishness? Maybe you're the one making assumptions." Swinging around, I'm surprised to see Edward standing in the entryway.

"Excuse me?" Tyler spits his shoulders tightening.

"I'm mean, I guess it's understandable, you being off your game and all," Edward taunts.

"Listen…"

"But," Edward continues cutting Tyler off, "I don't think that gives you license to cut down the person who saved your life." Edward walks closer, tapping the IV bag alongside his bed.

"I don't know who you think you are, Cullen, but this is a private conversation."

Edward laughs harshly. I should intervene, but the display is fascinating. "Tyler, we are all in this mess together. 'Private' is a luxury we can't afford."

"He's right."

Tyler's sharp gaze swings, angered by my allegiance. His mouth opens only to quickly shut. Taking a deep breath, he cracks his neck, focusing back on Edward. "No one is making you stay, Cullen. You're free to leave anytime."

With a smirk, Edward shakes his head. "I don't think so. I tell you, the more I find out about this whole situation, the more fascinated I become. I'm dying to find out how it all plays out."

"And you think that we'll get there through crappy investigation techniques?"

"Stop! This is getting us nowhere. We need to work together," I press making it clear that I don't intend to push Edward to the side.

"Fine." Realizing that he's not going to win, Tyler turns the conversation. "We still need a solid lead."

"And we will get one. Information always comes out, one way or another. Secrets never stay buried for long," I state, purposely cryptic in my wording.

Tyler eyes me carefully. "Maybe." He pauses, surely trying to find a way to regain control. "But, I repeat, that doesn't change the fact that we still need a solid lead that connects all these trails."

"Oh, I think we have a lead with Newton." Edward continues to stalk around the bed. "What do you know about him?"

"Nothing."

"I find that hard to believe," Edward pushes.

"Well, I don't know what to tell you. Bella knows that's the truth."

"Would she? Really?" Edward asks, taking the conversation in his own hands. "Given she doesn't remember anything prior to seven years ago. It kind of puts her at a disadvantage, don't you think?"

Tyler cuts his furious eyes to me. "What in the hell have you done?"

Rising from the couch, I try to ignore his hurtful words, "I…"

Edward walks around to place himself between us. "She can talk about her own life. You don't have any say over that."

"You don't know anything about her. I do," Tyler retorts. "I warned you before not to involve yourself in things you don't understand."

"Oh, I think I'm beginning to understand a lot." Edward stands taller. "I understand that you like to control things. I understand that you like to keep information close. More importantly, I understand that you like to get rid of anything or anyone that challenges your ability to do that, like Embry. The only question is what exactly are you trying to hide?"

Tyler leans around to challenge me, realizing that I also shared our earlier conversation. "Bella, how could you be so stupid? When did you start sharing every fucking thing with a virtual stranger?"

Fire floods my veins. Stalking past Edward, I rush the bed. "I am not stupid. I always do everything you and Charlie ask. I never complain, but this is still my life. You don't get to control what I decide to do with it or who I talk to about it."

I've shocked him. In response to my outburst, he raises his hands, looking contrite. "Alright, alright. Let's calm down and figure a way to work through this. We all want the same thing." He's trying to placate me. It won't work.

"Do we?" I blurt out.

His eyes become sorrowful. "Bella, I am always on your side."

Memories flood my mind. Postcard snapshots of everything he has done. Every time he's supported or helped me. How could I think that he would ever be out to hurt me?

But he's lying. The drilling pain to my forehead returns.

More snapshots bombard my thoughts reminding me of his dedication to my safety. He's never let me down. Is it Embry? Is that why he is lying? Is he trying to protect me?

Does it matter? Another wave a pain hits me.

"Our feelings can deceive us." Charlie's stern voice comes to the forefront of my thoughts. "Evidence is objective. It is tangible. Emotions are subjective. They muddy things. To be the best, Bella, you have to learn to lock them down. Trust logic. It will never lead you astray."

Regardless of my feelings for Tyler, my instincts tell me that he's hiding things. I need to find the evidence to understand why. I need to look at this like any other job that I've been trained to do. He is now my target. Swallowing the bile rising in my throat, I push away the emotions I have for him. If he is innocent, I will prove it. If he's not…

"You know that I'm on your side," Tyler declares again.

I know what I need to do. Working a situation from the inside is always easier than from the outside. "I do." Sighing, I lower my eyes, forcing myself to look apologetic. "I'm sorry. The craziness of the whole situation is just getting to me. Forgive me?" I want to rub my head, but he would know that something was wrong. He has told me that it is my "tell" more than once.

Tyler's analyzing stare penetrates me, making me wait. I see relief in his eyes, although he tries to cover it with a pointed look. "Of course. You and me till the end, right?"

"Till the end," I mimic the familiar phrase. It's usually a source of comfort, today the words are bitter.

"We can't let this craziness come between us. That's how everything starts falling apart." He glares at Edward.

"Understood," I say curtly. Edward starts to move forward, but I shoot him a glare too. "Tyler's right. We need to re-think things."

Edward clenches his fist, not surrendering to Tyler's glare. Turning to me, his eyes plead with mine. "Bella…"

"Do you still think you can help?" I address Tyler, cutting off Edward before he takes us down a road we aren't prepared for yet. "We obviously need to get more evidence to figure this mess with Newton out."

He scoots back, leaning against the pillows. "What do you need?"

"I need another person working the computer. There are a shit load of documents related to Newton to sort through."

His eye twitches again. He's nervous. There must be something there. We need to look at those documents closer. "Just bring me a computer and I'm at your service."

Edward paces behind me, pissed by this unexpected turn. I silently will him to follow my lead. "I'll go get one. You need anything else?"

"No, but I'm anxious to start. You know that I hate being out of the loop."

Although I've struggled with the impact Tyler's injuries, having him confined to the bed is suddenly giving me one hell of an advantage. He's a lot easier to control and monitor being stuck in the same place.

I flash a smile. "Yes, I know that well. I'll go get it set up right now."

"Perfect. Have Embry come visit too," he adds.

The casual request chills me. "Sure thing."

Without further discussion, I walk out of the room, praying that Edward follows. Not looking back, I thankfully hear his heavy footsteps. Bypassing the hallway that leads to the war room, I march to the garage, the rage building with each stride.

Stepping into the space I pace back and forth, my fists flexing and relaxing trying to temper my reaction. I need to calm down and stop my head from pounding so that I can think.

"What the fuck was that?" Edward grits out in a harsh whisper.

Whirling on him, I throw my arms out in frustration. "He's lying."

The words take the wind out his anger, a big whoosh of air rushing out of his lungs as he steps back. "What?"

"He's lying to me. Tyler is fucking lying to me about Newton."

"So let's go back and confront him."

Shaking my head, I step closer. "He's not the type to break easily. I need evidence."

"How exactly are you going to get that?" Edward places his hands on his hips. "We had him. With just a little push…"

"He would have completely shut down. As soon as he lied I knew that we need to play this smart."

Huffing out another breath, he shifts his weight. "Fine. What's your plan?"

"Like I told him, I'm going to give him a computer."

"So that he can destroy the little bit we've found?"

"Of course not. Embry can set up a dummy network. He'll think he has access, but we will be monitoring everything. I just want to see what he'd do when he thinks no one is looking."

A wide smile replaces his frown. "That's brilliant." Edward tilts his head, the smile falling. "You sure Embry will go along with that? He wasn't too happy when Emmett and I questioned Tyler's involvement just a few minutes ago."

My mind processes everything again, making sure I haven't missed anything. Trust is becoming more elusive these days. However, reevaluating every piece of information, my determination doesn't waver. Embry trusts me. I can use that to my favor. "I'll tell him that Tyler wants to send him away, not to mention that he's lying about Newton. He has the same fear we do about the assassin. He can't ignore the evidence."

"You're sure?"

I bark out a laugh. "I'm not sure about anything, but I do believe that he will follow my lead. Embry and Tyler tolerate each other, but they were never close. He trusts me."

"Okay, then."

"Okay, then," I whisper, leaning against the van and sliding down. "God, this is a fucking mess."

Evaluating me, Edward kneels down to place a gentle hand on my shoulder. "How are you holding up? I've watched you fight heaven and hell to save Tyler's life. This can't be easy for you."

Trying to stay focused, I let his words bounce off. "I just want to find the truth. I don't have the luxury of processing how I feel."

He moves a fraction closer, his grip tightening. "Whether you process it or not, it still has to hurt."

My traitorous body shakes. "That can't stop me though. Letting it out won't help."

He moves even closer, his eyes burning. "I think that's exactly what it does. Holding things in creates a dangerous agent. That is how the light inside us, the one that keeps us human, gets extinguished."

He confuses me, confuses my training. "What should I do instead? Yell and scream about how much this pisses me off. How unfair this is."

Edward remains, close. "Yes."

"It's that simple, huh? One outburst and things suddenly become better?" I snarl sarcastically, his closeness rapidly becoming suffocating.

"I didn't say that it solved everything, I said that it helps. You want to stay sharp? Stop running."

"Fuck you." Ripping away from his hold, I jump up and start pacing, the adrenaline making it hard to sit still.

"Tell me."

Spinning, I now invade his space, but on my terms. "I'm fucking pissed, okay! He's my goddamned best friend, and he's lying to my face! And for what purpose? Why would lying about Newton be worth risking that?"

"Maybe he's hiding more than you know?" Edward suggests calmly, unaffected by my close proximity.

"About Newton?" I ask confused.

"Or what Newton is a part of. How that plays into Embry. How that might play into you. You said it yourself, Tyler wanted him to leave, and now he's lying about Newton. It's all a little too coincidental to me."

"No, he wouldn't be involved in that" I rebuke, shaking my head roughly, igniting the pain once again. "And I don't believe that he would purposely harm me. I can't."

"I get it. I do," he whispers. "But like you said, we know that he's lying."

I swallow thickly. "Yes."

Edward gives me a sad smile. "Then that's where we'll start. The evidence will lead us from there."

"Right." Heartbreak and anger fight within me. "I just want the truth."

Edward bends to catch my eyes. "I'm here, Bella. If you need me, I'm here."

"Ha," I huff, clenching my fists until I can feel nails digging into my skin. "I barely know you. And the man I've trusted my life with for as long as I can remember just betrayed me. So pardon me if I don't feel like having a moment."

His head drops, a bitter laugh falling from his lips. "Yeah, you've got me there. I can't imagine what that feels like."

"No, you can't." I start pacing again, fury powering my heavy steps.

In a world of lies, Tyler is the one who is supposed to have my back. Even if he believes that he's protecting me, trust is paramount in making any partnership in this field work. He knows that. He has to know what he is jeopardizing. If the evidence proves me right, what will I do? He and Charlie are my safety net, the thought of leaving them makes me sick, a dizzying sick.

"Fuck!" In a fit of uncontrolled emotion, I turn and punch the van, the pain in my hand a welcome distraction from the pain in my head.

"Hey." Edward rushes over, grabbing my hand to inspect it. "I know I said to let it out, but I didn't mean you should break your hand. Next time, I'll have to be more specific," he jokes.

I can't help but laugh in return. "Yeah, that was stupid."

Searching my eyes, he gently rubs my knuckles. For a moment, I get lost in the comforting sensation. "I know your training is probably screaming not to confide in me, but I swear to you that I'm on your side. I've got no hidden agendas or skin in this game beyond figuring it out so we can get out of this alive."

My words falter, the arguments of keeping his at bay stumbling along with them.

"I don't know why I was chosen to come and get you," he murmurs. "But I'm glad I was. You need someone on your side. You can lean on me, Mira."

I'm an expert at reading a person, that is something I do trust. As sure as I am that Tyler is lying, I'm just as sure that Edward is telling the truth. Trusting someone in the field is different than trusting someone personally. I rarely do the latter, yet something about him keeps pushing me in that direction. Angry tears flood my eyes, as the adrenaline rushes out, rage quickly replaced by despair, my heart fractured.

"Why would he lie?" Feeling lost, I look to Edward for an answer.

With arms stretched out, his eyes ask silent permission to embrace me. Falling into his warmth, I close my eyes as his arms tighten around my trembling body, his strength beginning to replenish mine.

"I don't know, but I swear we will find out. You're too smart and I'm too determined to let this beat us," he declares, his breath moving through my hair with each word.

His hand slides up and down my back, the warmth leaving a tingling sensation in its wake. It's soothing and something that I haven't felt in years, if ever. "Thank you." Pulling back, his arms tighten briefly before releasing. He seems as reluctant to let go, as I am to step away. "I need to talk to Embry and get everything set up before Tyler starts wondering what's taking so long. He's paying close attention to everything we do."

"He's good?" Edward asks.

"He's good," I confirm. Compared to most, Tyler is exceptional. He will notice any hesitation on our part, so I will need to stay on the top of my game. Shaking my body out, I use the motion to push all the emotions away. I can't be angry, I can't be sad. I have to stay focused. "Okay. Let's do this."

Finding my hand, Edward wraps his around mine. The act reminding me that I'm not in this alone. "Let's do this."

Up next we hear from Edward as they set the trap. Until there here is your teaser.

Bella walks right over to the chair I vacated, sitting, she reaches over and spins Embry's chair until he is facing her. This is going to be interesting.

"We need to talk."

Embry is shocked, his hands still positioned as if over a keyboard. "Alright," he says hesitantly.

"I need to track Tyler."

"Hold up. What?" Emmett leans forward in chair, also shocked by the turn in events.

Bella glances in his direction. "Tyler knows about Newton."

"He actually admitted to knowing him? Holy shit," Emmett says, leaning back again. Embry, on the other hand, continues to be frozen.

"No. He lied about knowing him."

"He lied," Embry whispers.

"Yes, and I'm fucking pissed about it."

"Why would he lie, especially to you?" Embry sounds lost.

"That's what I intend to find out."