~~ Chapter 26 ~~

A/N: Beta Dee, u/2285193/Deonne

So, I finally got this chapter all done. It's taken me awhile to get it just right. And we've started the whole "potty training" with Carter so this makes for a very interesting time. On top of the holiday's that are quickly approaching. I'm quite honestly not sure how I get these chapters out to you all.

With all that being said, I hope that I didn't make you all wait too long and I certainly hope that you all enjoy this read as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Happy reading all.

Leaving the station Edward and I walked towards the KIA in complete silence. I hadn't even asked him where he'd like me to take him… my place or his. I wasn't even entirely sure it was safe at either one of our places.

Walking side by side in utter silence made me uneasy and I'd be lying if I said that I was alright with it. It was more then just being uncomfortable I felt I'd done something wrong... like I was getting the silent treatment.

When we'd finally climbed in and buckled our seatbelts I thought –now he's going to tell me where he wants me to take him –but he said nothing. I stared at him for a few seconds and than huffed slightly before starting the engine.

If I wasn't sure before, I was definitely sure now… I was getting the silent treatment.

I started heading north towards Edward's place, before he spoke up,

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"I'm taking you home." I smiled in knowing that I won the silent treatment.

Yes it satisfied me. I like to win at everything.

"I can't go back there Bella. You know my family would be all over me. I need to go somewhere safe… to think about all of this." He waved his hands in the air like a toddler taking a tantrum.

I nodded in agreement.

"Well then we're off to a hotel, but I have to stop by my place for a few things. I'll drop you off at the Bistro." I informed.

"What…? Wait… why would you do that?" Edward franticly spewed out.

"Well, one would assume that my apartment would be very much under surveillance. I don't think we want anyone to see us together. I will drop you off at the Bistro and I won't be more then twenty minutes tops and then I'll be right back to pick you up." I both smiled and patted his knee.

"You will do no such thing. Whatever it is that you need I'm sure I can just buy it for you. I won't have you going up there all by yourself."

I smiled at his protectiveness. It was sweet, but it was completely not needed. I was FBI for crying out loud.

I pulled the car over to the shoulder of the road and snickered when Edward clutched the passenger door.

"Listen Edward," I pulled out my badge "This thing here states that even though I am new at it… I am an FBI agent. I've been well trained by the State of New York. This was not retrieved by a bubble gum machine. I earned it."

Edward took the badge in to his hands, turned it over a few times, rolled down the window and then threw it out.

My mouth dropped open.

"No you listen. That piece of metal is not a bullet proof vest… It will not… and I repeat… will not save you from a bullet. This is all my mess and I will not have you die for me. You got that?"

I glared at his stubbornness and got out of the car. That ass just sat there and watched me slop through all the water and garbage in the ditch. As I came back up I had to smile. It had been a very long time since anyone had cared about me like that.

It was something my dad would've done.

It made me miss him.

~~ .~~

I dropped Edward off at the Bistro gave Riley the peace sign, indicating that I wanted two of my regular beverage and then I headed back out to the car. With my head on the steering wheel I took a long deep breath before starting the engine.

It had taken everything in my power to get Edward to agree… well somewhat agree… for me to head back to my apartment. I got death stares and teeth grinding when he got out of the KIA.

I told Edward that I needed some personal belongings from my father and it wasn't a complete lie. I did want his Revolver and some ammo, but I also wanted to grab my file on Edward before anyone broke into my place… which I knew was bound to happen sooner rather then later.

~~ . ~~

When I opened my apartment door I did a quick assessment of the place and everything was as it should be… nothing was out of place.

I went directly to my dresser and opened my sock drawer to retrieve my father's Revolver –which was safely stowed away in its lock box. I grabbed the ammo and threw the box in my suitcase as soon as I loaded the gun –placed it in my side hoister and then tossed in as much clothes as I could fit into the suitcase. I scanned the room one last time and zoned in on a picture of myself and my dad… grabbed it and tucked it under my arm.

It took me a few minutes to remember that I'd slipped Edward's file between the mattress and box spring. I walked back quickly with my suitcase in hand and reached in between the mattress to retrieve the file and stuffed under my other armpit.

Quickly locking my door and heading down the hallway I heard voices approaching.

"She's the last one there on the right."

"You're sure?"

"Yes"

I ran towards the door for the stairs and barreled through without being detected. Once on the other side of the fireproof door I felt frustrated… I couldn't hear a damn thing.

I leaned against the door. My legs wanted to run down those stairs but my cop mind kept telling me to take a peek.

What would one little peek do?

I opened the door a crack and I saw nothing. Re-closing the door I started to head for the stairwell and grinded my teeth in frustration.

I had to see… I just had too.

I placed everything on the floor on the top step –ready to go if I had to run –Re-peeking back out the door I slowly hid on the other side of my L shaped hall. I was completely hidden from them at the right hand side of my doorway.

I watched from my chosen hideaway.

I waited.

And then after a few moments of nothing and getting frustrated I finally heard talking again.

"All of her clothes are gone."

"Yes, I'm aware… Fuck!"

"Do you think she knows?"

"Yes"

I was intrigued.

What did I know?

A few seconds later out walked Inspector Clearwater and CIA agent Rosalie Hale AKA: the President's daughter and the legitimate "girlfriend" To Edward's brother Emmett.

I wasn't the least bit shocked about seeing the two together after hearing what Director Marcus had revealed to me, but I will say that it left a very dissatisfying taste in my mouth.

And then all hell was about to break loose.

They were headed in my direction and I had nowhere to go.

Why couldn't they just use the damn elevator like everyone else?

I was in a dead end at the bottom of the L shaped hallway. There was a janitorial closet I grabbed the handle and of course it was locked. The only place I had to go was the stairwell directly across from me, and it was only three long strides away.

And that's exactly where they were headed.

I peeked back for a second and they weren't far from me. Within seconds I'd be made or they'd see my belongings in the stairwell and I'd only have milliseconds to get away from them then.

Do I leave my stuff behind and run in the opposite direction or bolt for the stairwell and try to escape with everything…?

With the file

I made the fastest decision in my life and I ran for it.

Clearwater's eyes looked shocked as I barreled passed him and knocked Rosalie over. The fireproof door banged open as I grabbed the suitcase, my photo and my file –which I strategically left right on top of the suitcase.

I practically slid down the stairs… trying to get a head start on my pursuers. I could hear Clearwater stumbling behind me and I knew that he was having just as a hard a time keeping up as I was trying to get away from him.

I looked up for a second and noticed Rosalie was further behind holding her side. This pleased me knowing that she was hurt… the bitch deserved much worse and it just meant that this chase was all strictly about me and the old man.

I knew I could outrun him; that was never the case, it was all about being able to keep my belongings with me in the process. I was losing pages from my file and quickly I shoved it down my sweater –I always tuck a t-shit into my pants underneath so I knew it wasn't going anywhere –I then ran as hard as I could.

Logic finally set in when I could hear Clearwater hot on my tail. I let the suitcase go when I continuously heard Edward's voice ringing in my ear,

"I'll buy you new clothes"

I knew if I got caught because I didn't let the suitcase go I would never hear the end of it from Edward.

I felt a bit of a sting under my arm, but I pushed passed it and kept running.

When I finally made it back outside I ran as hard as I could to the KIA. I had it unlocked; the engine started and I was squealing the tires all before Clearwater came bailing out of the building.

I honked the horn –because I'm a smart ass and I won –and headed back to Edward. I knew that Clearwater would be behind me and I'd only have seconds to get Edward. I contemplated on leaving him there and coming back to get him, but he was in more danger then I was and I needed to protect him.

Upon pulling up to the Bistro I saw Edward standing outside with two coffees and a to-go bag. I was sure he had a couple of apple fritters in there for us too.

What pleased me was that he was standing outside. I'd yell at him later for being so careless but right now it was saving us such a crucial amount of time.

I pressed my foot hard onto the gas pedal, until it was completely against the floor and I could hear the engine protest it.

The tires squealed to a stop and I reached over opening the door and yelled,

"Get in!"

Edward's eyes widened as he ran for the car. When Edward slammed the door behind himself that's when we heard the sirens roaring behind us. We both looked out the back window and saw the black FBI car come screeching around the corner.

I hit the gas and off we went.

"What the hell Bella?" Edward screamed as he clung to the door.

"Clearwater and Rosalie were at my apartment." I groaned grasping at my arm it was aching and very painful.

"What's wrong Bella… were you shot?" Edward's worried voice hit three different notes in a matter of seconds.

"No I wasn't shot. I'm not sure why I'm bleeding. Take off my coat and check my arm out."

Edward was fast at removing my jacket, "Bella, you have a rather large gash under your arm."

I nodded, "That's what I figured."

"What…?" Edward was going pale.

"What's in the bag?" I asked.

"Apple fritters." He answered.

"Eat, you're looking pale. I don't need your anemia making you pass out now." I said.

"Bella, you need to go to a doctor." He insisted.

"We will after I loose Clearwater." I answered.

Asking Edward all these questions had taken his mind off of the high speed chase, but I was still unsuccessful at losing our tail. I might have been able to out run him on foot but his damn car was much faster then mine and there was just no way was I going to be able to out run him now.

"Edward, use that damn beautiful mind of yours… how can we lose them?"

Edward sat there for a moment and then smiled,

"We don't."

"What?" I asked confused.

"Slam on the breaks, Bella. When he drives right past us we'll hit reverse and then turn around and go back the way we came. Then we'll find some underground parking lot and we'll get a cab and go back to my place… get my Mustang and then head out."

I smiled, "You know I love that mind of yours." He grinned and hung onto the dashboard.

I looked in my review mirror, smiled at Clearwater's glaring face and slammed my foot on the break. Put it in reverse, turned, gave Clearwater's and Rosalie's shocked face the finger as we passed and headed to the next available parking lot –which ironically was the station.

As we parked I clutched my arm. I had to get this looked after but first we had to get out of harms way. Edward grabbed at me and I leaned on him for support. I was losing too much blood and fast. I reached into the back seat and grabbed the picture of my dad and I and I showed Edward,

"The frame broke" I shrugged. Knowing now that my suspicions of how I cut myself were right.

"We need to take you to the hospital."

I shook my head no, "I need to see Dee. He will be able to stitch me up."

Edward nodded and we started our dreadful journey up the mountain of stairs.

Thanks for sharing, favoring, reviewing, liking and putting my stories on alert.

Much love.

Until next week Fan fic world

April