Hey everyone! So thank you for all of your awesome reviews. And can you believe it, I just updated yesterday and now I'm posting again? This rarely happens anymore. So this chapter is not as long as I thought it would be but it is what it is. I'm really happy with the first part, and the end, I really am just squeezing a week's worth of stuff in their lives into this chapter because I know what I want to happen in the next chapter. My idea may be split up into two chapters or I might just make it one long ass chapter. So we'll just have to wait and see. If I make it into one long ass chapter then it might be a little while until I get it up. So anyway, unlike the last chapter this author's note is short.

Oh, by the way, I love twilight, which is a big duh because I write fics for it, but anyway, I just finished watched the youtube series Alex Reads Twilight. It's this guy Alex Day reading the books and him summarizing each chapter and making fun of them. It's hysterical, because some of the things he quotes I couldn't believe SM actually wrote in the books and so I went back to check and I laughed even more. Anyway, if you want a good laugh check out the video series.

Playlist:

Know your enemy by Green Day

Hide and seek by Imogen Heap

How to save a life by The Fray

It's a man's, man's, man's world by Glee cast

Gives you hell by the All American Rejects

Yeah Yeah Yeah by New Politics

We belong together by Gavin Degraw

It's your day by Yiruma

Sweet Pea by Amos Lee

There goes my love by The Blue Van

Hey Soul Sister by Train

Girls just want to have fun by Cyndi Lauper

Dream Big by David Cook

(If you're wondering if I want you to) I want you to by Weezer

Enjoy and review!

Chapter Twenty-One

Perception

It didn't take long for them to fall back into routine once they were in New York, despite the bond that had grown stronger between the pair. She confessed that Carlisle's beastly side was a major turn on, which confused him more than ever. Currently Bella was rushing to Carlisle's office from her own, luckily Felix was driving for she was frazzled as ever as the push for the Christmas issue continued, in order to talk with Diego. Alice had managed to warm the dark halls with a bit of Christmas cheer by decking them with festive decorations.

Upon entering Carlisle's office Isabella was greeted by her canine companion. Her boyfriend had offered to take Da Vinci off her hands this week because of the chaos at work.

"Da Vinci!" She greeted happily as she ruffled the fur of his neck, and then laughed as he licked her face.

Carlisle's laughter caught her attention and Da Vinci went back down on all fours to allow his owner and Felix to enter. Her eyes found her love first, and watched him proceed towards her. Within a moments time Carlisle had his angel in his embrace with their lips joined together in celebration of their reunion.

"I missed you, Angel." His words were music to her ears and so she confessed just the same.

"As did I, Honey."

Surprise, along with content, sparked in his eyes in response to her new name for him.

Felix took a seat and was quite interested to see what information Diego had. He loved his work, but the break had been nice for Jane had gotten time off and a temporary replacement to go with Bella to Forks.

"Diego." Bella gaped as she looked at the man from years before.

His curly black hair was longer, his ivory skin harder and more calloused, but his eyes were brighter than ever. She had him in her embrace and was in disbelief.

"Bella, my God, I can't believe it." Diego was in complete awe.

In his arms was the woman he always knew has broken and full of terror, but now she was radiant and strong; nothing like the shattered soul of the past. He pulled back from the hug and looked her over.

"Look at you. If I didn't know any better I wouldn't recognize you. God, your hair is so long now and you look…" He glanced her over again and smiled, "healthy. You look well, and happy I see."

"It's good to see you, too, Diego." Bella laughed. "And it seems that time has been good to you."

"It has Bella, I've made so much progress. But Carlisle was just telling me about you two being together, and living together, and how he just met your Dad. And now you'll be helping girls in the shelter. Seeing you right now only reinforces the reason why I do what I do."

Diego let her go realizing that he should probably let her return to the embrace of her boyfriend.

The three of them sat down together with Felix on the couches in his office, Da Vinci went back to sleep on his dog bed by Carlisle's desk.

"So this might take a while." Diego began to speak.

"We've got time." Carlisle spoke.

"Well, there are a number of things that we need to discuss. The first is motive. James is sick, but he's been so ever since his supply ended six months after he left you, Bella. He's been wandering around trying to find someone who can make him the drug he's addicted to. Now I won't tell you what the drug is because it's not something I can do. No offence, Carlisle, but I've had men from your field of work try and get it from me. I just don't want it getting leaked to the masses."

"I understand." Carlisle said with a nod. "Though, I would like to know if you made this concoction yourself, or are you one of the few who know about it and use your resources wisely."

"I've got a guy who gets me what I need to do my job. I tell him what he needs to happen, well a few other members do as I do and our numbers are growing, and he works his magic. So I, myself, don't concoct it, but it's not something that is highly distributed. You could even say that I prescribed it for him; his own poison."

"And you were sure of its effects, enough so to ensure Isabella's escape?"

"My guy is good. I wouldn't use a rookie for the kind of jobs I have to pull. I don't drug guys very often, but I knew it was the only way out. There was no doubt about the reaction. Now I had high hopes that James would eventually try enough drugs to kill himself. I even set the path for him, contacting the best dealers I know throughout several states and gave them just what they needed to keep James around for a while. I've been tracking him like a pro and all from one location. Anyway, I set up his endless search because I planted what he would find, up until recently."

"What happened recently?" Bella asked.

Her eyes were filled with worry, and Carlisle had felt the shiver run up her spine and so he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close to keep her warm. His comfort always worked and right now she was ever grateful for his hyper awareness of her.

"Well, that's where I need to give you a little more of the complicated background story so that it all makes sense. For starters, I made him leave Seattle. I knew it could have gotten me killed because the group I work with was so small then and our connections were few, but I took the risk. You see, Maria, the brains of the operation, was having an affair with this woman, I've never seen her because well she rarely shows her face like James does even though he has many. Her name is Victoria and she's a close friend of James, but she and Maria are together. So you know the story about how James wasn't supposed to get so involved with Bella, it was supposed to be short term and she was supposed to be sold. James disobeys and Maria gets angry. He was slipping up quite a bit and Bella was his last shot, but get this, he didn't want in anymore. He wanted out of the industry. He was just trying to provoke Maria."

"But why? And how are you so sure about all of this?"

"I know how to tap into places and bug without them ever knowing. Our group has grown so large that I've got people inside and ones that are close to it. Anyway, James is bipolar but the thing is, he's running out of money. That's where Victoria comes in. Sure he went to work and all, but that might have only been covering his part of the mortgage that he had with Bella. Victoria is a long time friend of James and so she gives him a hand financially. She's covering James's ass and doing the work Maria set for him. But James is getting tired of it so he turns on Bella and starts abusing her. It goes on for a while until he starts to crack. The drugs he's getting at the clubs, they're laced. They aren't from any of my guys or the ones I know that deal there. We still don't know who. So he goes to one of my masked men, we use them to keep guys like me protected from people like James and Maria. We never use the same guy twice and we're using them to sell to our targets. So he's already desperate for a drug and I hook him up with his demise. Two weeks, that's the time frame I gave him between his first intake and leaving Bella. Shit got bad as Bella knows and then he just left."

"You know why he left, don't you?" Bella whispered.

Carlisle held her closer so that she could feel he was there to support her.

"You're going to hate me." Diego looked her in the eyes.

"What did you do?" Carlisle demanded.

"I made a deal for her freedom. I didn't do it, he doesn't know who the guy was but it was one of my masked men. Recently my team had gotten a big donation from a local dealer who had quite a bit of cash to spare. He knew I was working my ass off to save a girl and that I was close. He doesn't know who you are Bella, but you see, he lost his sister to the trade and so he's very passionate about getting girls out. Basically you were James's only reason for staying in Seattle because you were his rebellion against Maria. Maria was satisfied because in her eyes you had been bought. But my guy didn't buy you, Bella; you're free. He bought your slavery and set you free."

"So how does this all tie back to James coming to find Isabella if he no longer works for Maria?"

"Well he's crazy because of the drug, but from what I've picked up on, he has convinced himself that he's in love with Isabella and that the cure is in her. But this woman Victoria put the pieces together."

"What do you mean?" Felix asked, now more confused than ever.

"James still has men working for him. That flute you told me about and showed me when I got here, well he's got more than one made. I went to see the man that makes them. He says a shit load of them have been made recently. He's using these men to lure Bella to him because Victoria figured out that I was the guy behind Bella's escape. Maria went back to Seattle or sent someone, either way they figure out Bella isn't in the trade at all or anyone's submissive. So being the bitch she is, she catches on to my line of drugs I planted and she buys them out. Then she destroyed them so James could never have them, leaving him on a wild goose chase and trying things he doesn't understand. The woman, Victoria is angry at her girlfriend for doing this to her friend and Maria breaks up with her for siding with James. But the two still love one another. Currently James is moving from one place to another but orbiting around New York. You see he remembered that one night he told me to have fun fucking Bella, which I never did do, but he believes I did, and he thinks that Bella and I are connected somehow. So one of my best scouts finds out recently that James has really gone insane. He should have killed himself by now, but his love for Bella, or so he's convinced himself, that keeps him from doing so. Victoria recently found a counter drug to soothe him for a few hours, but it wont last long. So he wants the drug and he thinks he can get it through you. So Victoria has used some sources to find you. I don't know if it's true but I've come to the conclusion that Victoria wants this done and over with so she can go back to Maria. She probably thinks that if she gives you to James then everything will be ok and you'll take care of him and then you'll get him the drug he needs."

Bella was on the verge of hyperventilating by now and Carlisle was coaxing her to take deep breaths as he rubbed soothing circles on her back.

"My love." Carlisle cooed. "I don't want you to worry. I am going to take care of you. Just take another deep breath, Isabella."

She took a deep breath and exhaled, and then looked up into Carlisle's eyes.

"Everything will be ok." Carlisle stated.

"We have to find James, Carlisle." Bella murmured.

"I know, Love. I now know where to start looking."

"That's all I really have for you. I know after years of work it's not a lot…" Diego trailed off.

Carlisle's attention snapped towards him.

"Nonsense." He was surprised by his lack of understanding of his importance. "Diego, we've got a lot more insight now that you've given me this information. I'm sure you are aware of the kind of sources I have."

"Of course." Diego said with a nod.

"Well then it looks like I have some work to do. I hope James doesn't mind some foul play." Carlisle said with a smirk.

"What do you have in mind?" Felix asked.

"Releasing the wrath of Hell." Was Carlisle's reply as darkness washed over him.

He was determined to make sure James's life was put to an end, and the sooner the better.

…

"All right, I think that's enough for today." Carlisle put his arm around her shoulders, both of them drenched with sweat.

"Fighting lessons are hard." She groaned.

"But worth it, aren't they, Love?" He teased.

"Yes." She agreed as she let him lead her up to their bathroom to share a bath.

"Isabella, I love you, you know that right."

"Of course, Carlisle. You tell me so everyday. And you know that I love you in return."

"I do, and I want you to know that I am yours for all of existence."

She questioned his wording but let it slide. They already had a hard enough day with the news from Diego. She wasn't going to push it.

Carlisle filled the tub with water and the strawberry bath crystals that Isabella liked and then the pair stripped out of their sweaty close. To change the moon into something more romantic Carlisle dimmed the lights and lit some scented candles. He was the first to get in the tub and then Bella sat down in front of him so that his arms and legs surrounded him and she could lean against his chest. He took his time washing her hair and body along with his own, but he wanted to pamper her. But as he cleansed his angel he couldn't help but think of the holiday. Meeting her family had been intimidating. Charlie turned out to be quite a personable man who really cared for his daughter. Then there was Jacob. It had scared the shit out of him when he heard the argument, but he wanted to wait. He didn't want to interfere such a personal matter unless it was necessary. But the moment he heard her slam into the wall and her heart wrenching scream he acted on his instinct to protect her. When he saw Jacob pinning her to the wall and kissing her forcefully he was ready to let the wrath of hell loose, but he settled for bashing the bastard. Then when he had turned to see his love full of terror and even shaking, he had fled to her side, letting his instinct to comfort his soul mate and take away her pain.

Then he had spoken with Charlie about the future. To his surprise Charlie was pleased and almost proud of Carlisle for being so old fashioned and asking for permission. Even if he and Isabella were happy, Charlie's opinion no doubt mattered to Isabella. Carlisle was afraid that Charlie might not see eye to eye with him and use time as an argument. Charlie encouraged him and even wished him luck.

Carlisle let out a sigh of relief as he relaxed against the tub wall and Isabella snuggled closer. Now all he had to do was find the perfect ring. He wanted to propose to her at this very moment but he had not a ring to show for it. He needed to find it before Saturday when he planned to pop the question, hopefully.

"What's on your mind?" She asked softly as she turned her head to look over her shoulder.

"You, Love, always you."

Blush spread across her cheeks and she sighed happily, retuning to snuggle against him.

"I feel so safe right here with you." She confessed as her eyes closed.

"I'm glad you feel safe, because that's what I want."

What Carlisle didn't know was that Isabella had baby on the brain. Her maternal clock was screaming at her that it was time to make a baby.

"Carlisle." She murmured, her eyes shut and her cheek resting against his chest.

"Yes, my love." He murmured as his hands rested upon her womb.

"I love you."

"I love you, too, Angel." He kissed the top of her head and let his body relax.

He took a moment to really feel her womb in his hands in which a baby would grow. He smiled at the thought of his child taking shelter inside his angel, and maybe one day it would be so.

They sat mostly in silence merely enjoying each other's company. They enjoyed gentle caresses and soft noises of affection with several kisses and smiles. Carlisle nuzzled his cheek against hers as she rested her palm on his chest. He could truly see himself starting a family with Isabella. He imagined a small child in his love's embrace and her in his embrace. A smile twitched at his lips and he sighed happily.

…

"Just like that, Love." He held her arms in place.

She was a bit nervous to be holding a gun even if they were in a designated place to learn how to do so.

"Now I want you to take a deep breath, you can do this."

She did as instructed and waited.

"Pull the trigger."

He whispered in her ear. She did and a loud crack filled the room as the bullet flew free. She was afraid that she had done terribly but when she looked at the target she had hit it directly in the chest.

"Wow." Carlisle gaped. "Isabella, I want you to do that on your own without me positioning it for you."

With a bit of a shaky hand she raised the gun again, undoing the safety lock and aiming at the target.

"Fire." Carlisle commanded.

She shot it, thankful for the headphones, and again she hit the target in the chest.

"You did it!" Carlisle was truly proud of his girl.

She put the safety lock on and put the gun down. He wrapped her in his arms and spun her around blissfully as he showered her with kisses.

"You are amazing, you know that right." He chimed before pressing his lips to hers.

"Maybe, but you're even more so." She murmured.

He smirked knowingly and shook his head before kissing her again. She was perfect in everyway.

…

Bella had to go back to work after her shooting lesson. She had taken part of her lunch break in order to do so and Carlisle had made her lunch for her to eat on the way back. She loved it when he did simple but loving things like making her lunch.

"Oh, you're back." Riley broke her train of thought.

"Oh, yes, sorry. I was just… never mind…"

"I just wanted to let you know that you have a meeting in twenty minutes."

"Thank you, Riley."

"Is something on your mind, Bella? You seemed distracted."

"No, just life you know."

"Carlisle I take it." Riley teased.

"Maybe, hey so you did a great job on the article."

Blush filled Riley's cheeks.

"Thanks." He looked down at the floor.

"Don't be bashful, Riley. I know you're anything but modest." She teased.

"I was just shocked that you gave me a piece to write so soon."

She could only smile.

"You're good at what you do, Riley, being an assistant and a writer. But I know it's not just writing you're good at. You love fashion."

"I'm gay, what can I say."

"It's a good thing. You just need more confidence in your writing. You carry yourself so well and you're not afraid to be who you are. You're openly gay and that takes a lot of courage and self-esteem. The article is wonderful, but I want you to look over it one more time and see if you see yourself in it."

He was shocked at first. He had thought that the article was ok and so he was surprised when she first told him it was good. But now he understand that she was making a point. The article was good, but not for him.

"It's ok to show who you truly are in your work. The more unique your voice is in your writing the more successful you'll be."

Riley sat down next to her in one of the wheeling chairs in her office. Even though Bella was only a few years older than he was he found her very motherly. She adjusted his cap and brushed his unruly bangs out of his eyes.

"Thanks." He murmured.

"What are girlfriends for?" She giggled.

He couldn't help but grin. He had always felt like Bella was a friend, but he was afraid to cross that line between work and personal life with his superior.

"You know you can talk to me like you would a friend." Bella chimed. "I might be your boss, but with all the time you spend with me…"

"I do consider you a friend."

"Good." She looked over at her schedule on the computer.

"Bella, what would you say to getting a mani pedi with me tomorrow?"

"It's a date." She teased.

"I'm gay, remember." He said with a smirk.

"And I'm taken." She chuckled.

"By a very attractive man. God, your boyfriend is sex on legs." Riley groaned.

"You have a crush on Carlisle…"

Felix was the one who started laughing first and they both turned to look at him.

"I'm sorry, it's just really funny." Felix was holding his sides with laughter. "Wait till he hears this."

"No!" Riley protested, practically begging.

"Felix, don't do that to poor Riley." Bella scolded.

"Yes, M'am." He teased.

"I swear you got an attitude the second you kissed Jane." Bella said with a roll of her eyes.

"Or maybe I had one before and I just didn't show it to you."

"Uh-huh, yeah. I would believe that if I didn't already know how humble you are."

"Damn you and your perceptiveness." Felix faked his anger, which could only end in laughter.

…

Carlisle was searching frantically around New York for the perfect ring. He was determined to find one for he already had his proposal planned out, but not a ring to be found. Nothing was brilliant enough, and the ones that were beautiful enough at first glance were too flashy when he thought things over. He needed something simple to match her comfort level, for he knew she wouldn't be comfortable wearing an enormous stone. He longed to find the perfect ring to present Isabella with when he lowered himself to one knee and asked her for the greatest gift any man could ever receive, her hand in marriage. But things had just been hectic at work. He had been busy not only working on the hunt for James but letting out his harsher side at work in order to remind others that he had not gone soft. He was the fucking Don and he was not softened by love while at work. He had to let the beast loose, but not to the point where it controlled him. He had to be able to go back and forth, and therefore tame the beast.

As Carlisle frantically searched the streets of New York for the perfect ring he had the facts of the current man hunt rolling through the back of his mind. He was focused, for the most part, on the ring, but he noted each face that he saw and anyone who appeared out of the ordinary, and committed them to memory. He smiled at the thought of his love having some time to relax. Work for her was chaos because of the Christmas issue and right now Emmett had Da Vinci while Carlisle searched for the ring. Isabella was currently relaxing with Riley at the nail salon, getting pampered just as she deserved. When she had come home the day before to tell him about her conversation with Riley he couldn't help but chuckle. He had known that Riley played for the other team, but he wouldn't call him on it. But Isabella had Rosalie and Alice, to hang out with, and now another "girlfriend", Riley. Things were moving along well in both of their lives and as a couple, Carlisle was sure that Isabella would say yes, but there was always the possibility that she might deny him. He was still working on what to say in his actual proposal. There were so many things he could tell her, but he wanted it to be magical, and something she would remember for the rest of their lives. He was never a man for marriage before her, but now he couldn't imagine loving anyone but her. And he wanted her to know just that.

How many stores would he have to search through? That was a constant thought surging through his mind. He took a deep breath and prayed to God for a blessing that the ring would come soon, and then opened the door to the store. He searched a few cases until he found himself staring down into one. His eyes instantly fell on one ring, causing a smile to stretch across his face.

"That's it." He sounded dazed or maybe awe-struck, and probably somewhere in between. "That's the one."

Success.

So, what did you think? I know you all are probably scratching your heads about all the stuff Riley explained. You're probably saying so now it's easy right, go find the drug dealers in New York, the mafia has many connections and knows the right people, finding James should be easy. Yeah, well I wouldn't tell you all of that stuff if it were that easy don't you just love me haha. So what are your predictions? And guesses as to what James is really up to? What do you think Maria and Victoria are really after? Is James the real threat? And those damn flutes? Riley, how reliable is he? Hehe. You'll just have to keep reading to find out. :p