Special thanks to my beta xrxdanixrx. She is really a great beta and gets my chapters to be very quickly.

DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer owns all.

Chapter 26

BPOV

Edward was instantly at my side the second I started panicking, the very moment I realized that I might've made the worst mistake possible. He looked at me with such compassion, trying to soothe any worry I may have had with just his simple touch. Did he know the effect he had over me?

There was nothing I wouldn't do for him, and as cliché as it may have sounded right now, it still didn't change the fact that I would take a bullet for this man... gladly.

"Bella, listen to me," Edward's velvety voice broke me from my reverie, "you didn't risk my life, okay? It's better that I know the truth about Aro. Don't you see that?"

I looked up at him, shaking my head. "I don't see how putting you in danger is better option than keeping you safe."

He sat back on his heel and smirked. "Oh, I see…it's insane for me to want to keep you safe, but it's wholly okay for you get all protective over me?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, I'm a cop, Edward. I've had training, and I carry a gun," I replied frankly.

He rolled his eyes at me. "You're not super woman, Bella. Besides what you may think, you're not always going to be prepared. One day, someone's going to get you when you're at your most vulnerable."

"What do you mean by my most vulnerable? What are you talking about?" I asked, confused.

He reached over and caressed my cheek with the back of his hand; he gave me a weak smile. "Me. It's me who makes you vulnerable."

"How do you make me vulnerable?" I inquired dully.

Even though I asked the question, I knew exactly what he meant. Edward grabbed my hands that were folded on my lap, and pulled me into him. I wrapped my arms around him and held onto him like my life depended on it. God, he was so right…he was my kryptonite.

"Because you let your guard down around me…making you susceptible to any outside attack," Edward replied lovingly, but then his face hardened considerably. "You know, I knew something was up tonight. Aro was acting…out of character," Edward whispered into my ear.

"What?" I asked, taken aback, as I pulled myself erect, looking him into his eyes.

"Well, my first clue that something was amiss was the way he greeted you. I don't know...I didn't like it. He seemed so enthralled in you, which is understandable, but from him, it's odd." Edward's voice had a hint of agitation.

"What do you mean odd?"

Edward lifted me up and placed me back in my seat. I watched as he went around the table, dragging his chair over to me. Once he sat comfortably by me, he took my hands into his again.

"Aro is…what's the term I'm looking for? He's cold…" Edward paused as he mulled over his description. "Well, sort of like, detached. I've watched him interact with people, and he never shows them any interest. Even Tanya, he treats like an annoyance, but with you…he lit up like a fucking Christmas tree, and it drove me nuts."

I was stunned, and words failed me. How was I to respond to something like that? Tonight, I'd been intrigued with Aro. I was shocked and amazed how charming he was, and how he had every one fooled…was he trying to fool me?

"That was the first sign," Edward continued. "The second was when he gave you directions to the bathroom. I found it odd that he sent you upstairs when there was a perfectly good guest bathroom on the first floor, across from the foyer, but I figured he sent you to a far more spacious one. I had no clue. I've never been allowed on the second floor."

"He sent me to his office," I said quietly.

"Yeah, I didn't realize that until after the fact. Like I said, you were gone for a long time and Aro offered to go see what was taking you, but I insisted that I go instead. You should have seen it, Bella. He kept looking towards the stairs with each passing minute. It was the oddest thing. I knew something was up, and I knew that whatever was taking you so long, than it was best I found you first," Edward stated adamantly.

A shiver ran down my spine as I realized that tonight was a trap…set up for me, but how long did Aro know? How far back had he been planning this?

"Do your parents always have dinner with Aro?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Not usually, but if they do, they tend go out to some fancy restaurant. Aro is very private, and his house is like, off limits. I guess that should have been my first clue, but I was too worried about you to think straight." He paused as if something finally occurred to him. "Jesus, it was right there, but I fucking didn't see it?"

"What?"

"When I was frantically trying to get a hold of someone on Friday, when James kidnapped you, Aro came out to the foyer, placed his hand on my shoulder, and said 'Don't worry, Edward…I know Isabella will escape to live another day.' Fuck, at the time, I thought he was trying to comfort me," he said bitterly.

"He knew who I was then," I gasped.

It wasn't a question.

Suddenly, the night with James flashed before me, and I remembered how desperate he looked. How he tried to keep his nerves under control. It was obvious to me then that he never killed anyone before, but now, I saw how wet behind the ears he truly was. If James was a trained killer, he would've never allowed me to wake from my chloroform sleep. He would've never wasted the time and effort it took to tie me up. James got off on the drama of it all. Taking his misguided cues from mobster movies and it dawned on me. If Aro hired James to off me, it was clear by what he told Edward that he didn't expect James to succeed. He wanted James caught. He even supplied him with the tools.

Now I know where he got that gun…

As my mind tried to process all that Edward was telling me, he squeezed my hand gently, bringing my attention back to him. There was so much more he had to tell me. The flood gates were open, all his suspicions were now pouring out.

"Then when I saw Tanya there…shit just clicked," he said brightly.

I clenched my teeth. The very mention of the woman angered me. "What clicked?"

"Well, the fact of the matter is that, Tanya hates Aro. The whole time we were together, she went on and on about how evil he was. She wanted nothing to do with him…but now she's living with him? Why did she show up out of the blue that Monday, claiming she wanted me back? At first, I thought it was because she saw you and realized I moved on, but all that changed when she outted you the way she did in front of Aro.

"Until you showed me his file, it didn't make sense, but now I know…he wanted to see how you would react. It's a sick game he's playing, Bella. He's using everyone as a pawn, and that's why it's good that you've showed me this." Edward smiled as he held up the file. "Because, now I know, and he'll never be able to use me again."

Even as Edward reassured me that my decision to tell him was the right choice, I still couldn't shake off my apprehension. It was my instinct to protect him. This desire I had to shield him from the dangers that Aro posed. But what if Edward was right…what if Aro used him against me? It scared me that this diabolical monster saw my loved ones as my only source of weakness, and that he would use them…possibly hurt them, just to get to me.

How was I going to fight something like that? Deep down in my gut was a sick feeling that Aro's intentions were no longer to escape the law, but his motives were now personal. His focus was now solely on me, and I couldn't understand why.

"This whole situation…it scares me," I admitted softly.

He frowned. "He can't get to you, baby. I won't let him."

The intensity in his eyes told me that he wasn't kidding, and that he would do whatever he could to protect me. That did not sit well with me at all, because that's not what this case was about. Edward was never supposed to be involved with any of this. The fact that it had reached such a personal level had me feeling unprepared. In one swoop, this case, my job, my life…all became one. The lines were blurred, and that scared the shit out of me. How was I going to stay focused and do what I was hired to do, if every second I had to make sure I kept tabs on my loved ones? How many people was I going to have to watch, on top of watching my own back?

"God," I erupted. "It's all too much. I can't do this! How am I…I can't, I just…" I started rambling as the tears poured down my cheeks.

"Bella?" Edward asked, completely startled by my sudden outburst.

It was hard to reign in my emotions once they left the gate. Everything that I had bottled up in the last week had finally broken through. Now, the reality of James, my father, Aro, Tanya, Edward's parents, and the proposal was front in center for me. It happened. I finally cracked under the pressure, and now I was just a sobbing mess in Edward's arms as he tried to soothe me.

However, I was too far past the point of being soothed. It was full blown hysteria, and I couldn't stop it.

"Bella, you don't have to take this on alone. Please, stop crying," he pleaded softly into my ear.

At this point, I didn't know what I really was crying about. I think my body was looking for some release, all the energy I spent keeping a cool façade was bound to combust, but now that I had my break down, I needed to get back on the horse. My dad didn't leave me much as a kid, but one piece of advice he gave me always stuck with me. He said that sometimes in life you need to buck up, suck up, and take it like a man. If he was to see me now, the disgrace I'd allowed myself to be, he would be disappointed. This blubbering woman wasn't the Bella he raised. It wasn't the woman I prided myself on being.

It was time to get my shit together.

Just like that, like a light switch, I pulled myself together. I sat up from Edward's lap, wiped my tears from my face, and gave him a small smile. "I feel better."

"Are you sure?" he asked me skeptically.

"Absolutely," I said reassuringly.

"You don't have to be strong for me…for them," Edward said, gesturing his head towards the door.

I sighed. "I'm not. Look, I know right now I might seem a little bi-polar to you—" I was interrupted by the firm nod of his head. I smacked him playfully on the arm for agreeing with me. "Thanks, babe."

He placed his hands on my face, pulling me into a soft kiss. It was his form of an apology, and I must say, it was the best one I'd ever had. The lure of his warm, gentle lips eased all my worry. It was quite a drug, highly effective. Just one kiss from him seemed to make everything disappear, and like always, it dulled my senses to the outside world. That was why I didn't hear Captain Cullen walk in.

It wasn't until he cleared his throat…loudly, that I was aware of the fact that we were no longer alone.

Slowly, I broke away from Edward, taking a tentative glance towards the door. Captain Cullen stood at there with a slightly amused expression, causing my pink blush to deepen into a fiery red. I lifted myself off Edward's lap, pulling him up with me. It was so embarrassing to say the least…getting caught in the conference room making out with my boyfriend. I mean, Rose and Emmett had fucked in this room and never got caught. It seemed I had the worst luck or the worst timing.

"Good evening, Captain, I would like you to meet Edward Masen," I said, introducing the two most important men in my life.

Captain Cullen reached out to firmly shake Edward's hand. "You can call me Carlisle."

"Nice to meet you, Carlisle. Bella talks highly of you," Edward replied.

Captain Cullen scoffed, and I shot him a bemused glare. He didn't even take notice of me as he continued the conversation with Edward. "Well, it's nice to finally meet you, as well, Edward."

For a brief moment, I thought the captain was going to humiliate me, perhaps mention to Edward how he was the only man to tame me, or better yet, tell him how his mere presence seemed to screw up my senses beyond repair. That would have been an epic conversation…one I was glad that they never broached.

The silence loomed, and suddenly it reached an uncomfortable level. I felt the need to deflect somehow, to escape the torture of this impromptu meeting between my boyfriend and pseudo father.

"Okay," I said, breaking the underlying tension. "Can I talk with you for a minute, Captain?"

"Of course, detective," Captain Cullen replied quickly. He reached out to shake Edward's hand again. "It was a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Likewise," Edward responded with a head bob.

Apparently, that was some guy lingo I didn't understand, because Captain Cullen chuckled as he walked out the door. Following him out the door, I turned and gave Edward a quick glance as I shut the door behind me. The look on his face was unreadable, but if I was to venture a guess, I would have to say it looked like he was tickled pink about something. Like, he had some new found insight.

That wouldn't have surprised me, because I'd learned that Edward was very perceptive of people. He saw beyond their bullshit and straight to the core. He would have made one hell of a cop. We needed people like him.

Shaking off my inner ramblings, I met Captain Cullen in his office. He sat behind his desk, waiting for me. Closing the door as I entered the room, I wasted no time as I got straight to the point.

"Did Agent Hale inform you of my intentions tonight?" I asked.

"She did," Captain Cullen answered with a firm nod.

"So, I have to ask…how much of trouble am I in for this?"

He sighed heavily. "Bella, you knew what you were doing the moment you brought him here. Do I really need to spell it out for you?"

"I admit that I knew what I was doing was a risk, but at the time, I felt it was worth it," I answered as I took a seat.

"You don't still feel that way?" he inquired, surprised.

I laid my head on his desk, feeling the cool wood on my forehead. I inhaled deeply as I pondered how I was going to answer his question. Even though I'd had come to terms with my decision, it still didn't ease my doubts.

"Things are getting out of control, and I don't know how to regain it," I answered dejectedly.

"Walk me through it," Captain Cullen urged.

I lifted my head off the desk, leaning back into the chair, and threw up my hands dramatically.

"My part in this case is no longer undercover, Captain, no, my shit is out in the open. Aro Volturi knows who I am. In fact, he might've known the whole time. I don't know, but now, Edward and his family are involved. It's becoming a conflict of interest," I blurted out, frustrated.

After my declaration, Captain Cullen was quiet. I watched as he stared out into nothing, clearly deep in thought. Where were his questions? Why didn't he want to know more? There was so much I still wanted to know. So, his silence made me nervous.

Before I had a chance to ask him what he thought, he shifted in his chair. The movement from him was a relief to me. It was better than him being catatonic…I didn't know how well I would've handled that.

"I think it's best if we remove you from your undercover duties," Captain Cullen informed me.

"I'm sorry?" I asked, shocked.

"It's like you said, detective, you're in too deep. Your cover is compromised; you're dating a direct link to the suspect. Look, Agent Hale informed me of the situation, and we had a long discussion. We both decided it was best to take you out of direct line of fire. We figured you would prefer to be assigned to another case, even though we feel it's beneficial for you stay on this case as an informant. She suggested that you would be helpful creating a criminal profile with her," he said brightly.

"Despite everything, you still have complete trust in me?" I asked, fucking flabbergasted.

"Of course I still trust you." He smiled. "That's why I wanted to keep you on this case as an informer. Even Agent Hale feels that your experience with Mr. Volturi tonight will come in handy…We just feel for your sake, that it's best if we remove you from undercover obligations."

"Well…" I hesitated, glancing towards the closed door. "That sounds…more than fair. Are you sure Agent Hale was for this idea? I kind of figured that my misconduct with Edward would have sealed the deal for my expulsion."

Captain Cullen chuckled as he rose from his seat and came around towards me. "Expulsion? No, detective, that would be too extreme, and that wouldn't help us one bit. You see, you're the only detective who's ever gotten close enough to Aro. Agent Hale and Agent Reed see that as a breakthrough in this case."

"Really?" I asked.

He placed his hand on my shoulder, giving me a gentle squeeze. "Yes, we really do, but we do have a slight problem."

I gulped. "Which is?"

"You do realize that we might have to put Edward in protective custody. Normally, we wouldn't do that with the average civilian, but I need you to be focused, and I fear that if he's not protected in some way that your concentration won't be hundred percent," Captain Cullen broached warily.

"You would do that?" I questioned with disbelief. "You would go against all protocol and protect my boyfriend? I mean, the extra money this will cost the city. You're willing to take the heat for me?"

He waved is hand dismissively. "I'm sure the city would see this as money well spent. It's all politics, detective. If we're able to catch a fish like Aro Volturi, I guarantee you that they would more than happy to pay hundred times over. That's not my biggest concern. What concerns me is Edward himself…he seems like a self-sufficient person. Do you think you could convince him that putting him in protective custody is in everyone's best interest?"

Therein lies the problem. Edward was going to refuse this…How was I going to sway him?

"I'll see what I can do," I answered hesitantly.

Captain Cullen nodded. "Good. Now, shall we do a debriefing with Agent Hale and Agent Reed?"

It was getting late, and I thought persuading Edward into staying was going to be difficult, but once again, he proved to do the unexpected. Under normal circumstance, if I wasn't so worried about his safety, I would have told him to go home. My night was just starting, and it was unfair of me to ask him to stay. Luckily, Emmett had stopped by to deliver Rosalie dinner, therefore giving Edward some needed company. I hadn't had the guts to approach the topic of protective custody with him. I was still searching for a way to convince him…to make him see that his safety was a priority.

With Edward safe and entertained with Emmett's fart jokes, I felt myself relax as I went over everything that happened tonight. I relayed my theories, even including some of Edward's insights. It was around midnight when my mind started to really muse over the interaction between Aro and me when we first met. The way he introduced himself rather grandly, left me perplexed. It was like he wanted me to know who he was. At first, I assumed it was his lavish personality, but now, after talking with Edward, I realized that it was a show put on just for me. If Aro had the means to erase criminal files, then he most definitely had the means to run a background check on anyone he desired…

Captain Cullen narrowed his eyes at me. "What is it?"

"How secure is our firewall?" I inquired.

"The firewall to our database files? They're very effective. Don the computer guy comes every week to check our computers for any bugs or viruses. Why? Are you implying that Aro has hacked into our network?" he asked suspiciously.

Rosalie and Agent Reed looked at me questioningly, not sure where I was going with this.

"It makes sense. I mean, James said Aro was able to erase his file…but then, he would've had to have someone on the inside to completely dispose of James's physical files," I said, thinking out loud.

Agent Reed shook his head in disbelief. "Are you now suggesting he has someone on the inside, detective?"

I narrowed my eyes at his skepticism. "Agent Reed, I just had dinner with this man. He knows no bounds. James told me that he was very powerful and that nothing could stop him. I believed him then, but now, I know what he was referring to."

"What are you thinking?" Rosalie asked, intrigued.

"Well, we need to keep everything between us. We keep everything off the record. When we put James in the witness program, we do it covertly. No records whatsoever. It's crazy to think we have to keep our moves discreet like criminals, but Aro has eyes and ears everywhere. The fact that he knew me wasn't an accident. He planned everything," I stated.

They all exchanged quick glances between one another, unsure if my plan was something that would work. The fact that they were taking my advice and listening to me, left me with mixed emotions. On one hand, I was thrilled that they were taking me seriously, happy that they were taking my advice, but on the other hand, it made me nervous. Suddenly, I was the focal point in this case. The responsibility I had was hefty. If I was to make one wrong move, the fallout would be massive. I knew my career was at risk.

I knew I was taking a chance.

But the moment I saw the confidence Rosalie had in me within her crystal blue eyes, made the risk worth it. The case was dear to her, and she was handing it over to me.

"Okay, Swan, your call. What's our next move?" Rosalie asked, trustingly.

"Well, I think its best that we talk with James again…but this time, we do it without the cameras. In fact, I think we need to relocate him to somewhere safe," I pronounced confidently.

"Why do we need to relocate him?" Agent Reed asked, confused.

I looked at the poor excuse of a man, keeping my voice firm. "Because he's not safe here…none of us are."

A/N: Agent Reed is such a twat….LoL. Please review.