A/N- A few readers have reported that this story is just a little too heavy on the angst. If it helps- I certify this chapter, as well as the next two, to be angst-free! After that, no promises- we've still got a ways to go! I hope you'll stick in there with me!

Chapter 12

"Charlotte- thanks for meeting with me," Edward said politely. He kept his door wide open as asked Tyler to keep an ear out in case he needed assistance. After taking one look at her, however, he decided his extra caution was probably unwarranted.

The last time they met, Charlotte was overly provocative, offering to trade sexual favors for a transfer. Today, she was sober, and sat before him appearing sullen and angry.

"What's this about?" she asked him emotionlessly.

"I saw that you got a writeup yesterday for having drugs in your cell. I wanted to know if you gave any thought to the conversation we had last month?"

"What conversation?" she asked. Edward wasn't surprised that she didn't remember.

"Last month, you expressed interest in a transfer to the Camp."

She straightened up a bit. "Are you moving me?"

"No, we discussed getting you clean first before we considered that. I wanted to discuss some options with you."

"Not interested," she said with a huff, slouching back down in her chair.

"You're still very young and you have just a couple of years left on your sentence, but you have to stay out of trouble. Once you get out of here, there is a world of opportunity waiting for you."

She narrowed her eyes. "I don't know what fucking world you live in, but the world doesn't want to help people like me."

This was exactly the kind of attitude hoped to combat when he accepted this position. "There are plenty of programs…"

"Fuck your programs, and fuck you too. Stop trying to fill my head with this bullshit. You don't know anything about what my life is like."

"That may be true, but I do have an idea of what your future will look like if you keep going down the path you're on. Let me help you…"

"Save your shit for someone else," she interrupted again. "We done here?"

"That's up to you," Edward answered patiently.

Without hesitation, she stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her.

"Another successful meeting for Edward," he muttered sarcastically, standing up to stretch. Glancing out his window, he noticed that Charlotte now appeared to be having an intense conversation with Victoria. They were quiet enough that he couldn't make out the words, but he found it awfully suspicious. He did his best to spy covertly, but was caught off guard when Tyler hit the door lock and Bella walked in.

Bella hesitated for a fraction of a second when she saw Victoria, but quickly morphed her expression into the emotionless mask he had grown accustomed to. "Mr. Cullen, mail for you."

"Thank you, Miss Swan," he answered just as emotionlessly. Since their brief conversation that Monday, Bella seemed far more distant than usual. It was now Thursday, and he was no closer to discovering what transpired early that week that resulted in this change.

Victoria being around constantly didn't help matters. He wondered how she managed to do her regular job because she spent so much time sitting with Tyler in the monitor room. But it wasn't as if he could report her for it- she reported directly to James. He wondered if he could talk Tyler into reporting it or at least speaking directly to her about it. Edward could tell he wasn't exactly comfortable with her constant presence either.

By the next morning, he decided he would have a conversation with Tyler about Victoria. Perhaps the two of them together could figure a way to rid themselves of her constant presence. He thought about how to start that conversation as he passed through security on his way in. However, he was caught off guard by Mike waiting for him at the entrance.

"Good morning, Mike. What's going on?" he asked cautiously.

"Aro asked to see both of us in his office," Mike told him. Edward didn't like the nervous expression that Mike wore.

"Do you know what it's about?"

"No idea," Mike said with a shrug. "I was hoping you could tell me. Did something happen I should know about?"

"Can't think of anything," he answered, and that was the truth. He hadn't even come close to any behavior that could be considered reprimandable- not since giving Bella her gift on Christmas Eve. As they began walking towards Aro's office, he wondered what story James managed to cook up for the Warden, and how much trouble he was possibly in for something he didn't do.

"Stay here a second," Mike instructed, motioning to a chair in the small reception area. After speaking to Aro's secretary, Renata, for just a moment, Mike disappeared behind the large oak door leading to Aro's office.

Edward took a seat and looked around. Aro's office area in no way resembled the rest of the prison. It was warm and inviting, with wood trim and swanky, plush furniture- a far cry from the drab gray and white he was used to seeing.

As he sat trying to figure out how much of his tax dollars went to funding wardens' offices, Angela walked into the room hesitantly. Edward felt uneasy seeing her there, now wondering if Bella had something to do with this unscheduled meeting. Had she decided to talk to Angela after all? Was Angela reporting their relationship? That couldn't possibly be it. He trusted Angela, and he knew without a doubt she would have spoken to him first if she had a concern. Besides, there wasn't much of a relationship to report. They barely spoke all month, and conversations were limited to her notifying him when he had mail and him thanking her.

"Good morning," he told her, putting on an air of confidence and calm. Trying to keep it light, he asked, "Come here often?"

"Not so much," she answered. "Any idea what this is about?" she asked curiously.

So she doesn't know either, Edward thought. Interesting. "Not a clue," he answered casually.

"Cullen, come on back," Mike called out to him. As he moved to enter Aro's office, he almost ran into Tyler, who was exiting. Tyler clapped him on the back and said "Don't worry, I told them that bitch is crazy and that I saw everything. You're good."

Edward still had no idea what was happening, but felt just a bit more at ease at Tyler's words.

"Ah, Mr. Cullen, thank you for stopping by!" Aro exclaimed, more exuberantly than necessary.

As if I had a choice. There were two overstuffed armchairs facing Aro's desk, and he took a seat in the one next to Mike.

"How are you liking your job thus far? It's been about… three months, yes?"

In no mood for small talk, he answered, "Almost. I'm liking it just fine, sir, but I have to admit, I'm anxious to know what this is about."

"Of course, of course. Well, as it so happens, an inmate has made a rather serious allegation about you," Aro told him, looking directly into his eyes, as if begging him to argue.

Edward tensed. "Is that so?" he asked nonchalantly.

"You must know that we take claims of sexual harassment very seriously in this establishment," Aro continued.

Edward's heart sped up, but he kept himself collected. "I'm sorry, sir, but I have no idea what you are referring to. I have not once been inappropriate with any of the women in my care."

"Well, of course the matter will be investigated fully."

"May I ask what the allegation is?"

"Of course, you have the right to know. It has been alleged that you offered an inmate a transfer to minimum security in exchange for a… sexual act."

"That's outrageous!" Edward shouted, finally losing his composure. Mike laid his hand on Edward's forearm as if to calm him, and Edward jerked away. Only slightly calmer, he said, "Mr. Volturi, Charlotte Peters is a disturbed woman. Last month, when we were moving people around, she came to my office and offered me a bl… well, offered oral sex if I would put her on my list of recommendations."

"And how did you respond?" Aro asked imploringly.

"How do you think?" he sputtered angrily. "I told her to get the hell out of my office. Then yesterday, I was following up on a disciplinary report, and I mentioned that we had discussed getting her into rehab if she wanted to move to the Camp eventually. She refused, and then left. That was it. Tyler was there- he knows nothing inappropriate happened."

"Yes, Tyler mentioned that, but as I said, I will collect every facet of the truth- it's only prudent, don't you agree?" Without pausing for a response, he added, "I would like your written statement of your version of the events by the end of business today. You can submit it to Michael."

Mike nodded. "Yes sir, I'll make sure to get that to you."

"Fantastic." He pressed the intercom button then. "Renata dear, would you send back Mrs. Cheney?"

"Right away, sir" a staticky voice responded.

Edward sat still, gripping the arms of his chair tightly, as they waited for Angela to enter. When she opened the door, Edward noted there were only two chairs and quickly jumped up to offer her his. He noticed that Mike made no such move, not even a tic.

"Ah, thank you, Edward," she said. "Chivalry isn't dead after all. Hello, Mike," she said pointedly.

"Good morning, Angela," he said, oblivious.

"Mrs. Cheney, I asked you over because there is a situation that involves both of your units. Charlotte Peters requires a transfer out of Pod A- it's up to Mr. Cullen if he would like to discuss the reasons with you. Now, Ms. Peters requested to be sent down to Camp, but I have determined that it is not appropriate for her at this time, so she will be moving to Pod B."

"Sir, may I remind you that Peters was transferred out of Pod B several months ago because she needed to be separated from Mallory? The two of them together are a disaster," Angela remarked.

"Well, I'm afraid we are short on choices," Aro said, glancing at Edward. Angela looked over at him curiously.

Later, he mouthed.

"Okay, I can have a bed ready for her today."

"Wonderful. Now there is the other matter of an inmate by the name of…" he shuffled through a stack of notes. "Swan. Officers Forrester and Wilde have some concerns about her wellbeing."

Edward's eyes shot over to Angela, but she didn't flinch.

"Yes, I've been monitoring the situation, but I'm not sure a transfer is in her best interest. She's had a hard time adjusting to prison life, and I'm not sure a change in her routine would do her any favors."

What situation? Edward wanted to scream.

"I'm afraid her problems with adjusting aren't my concern. My concern is for her physical safety, and of course preventing a lawsuit. I understand she has been conversing with Rosalie Hale. Better safe than sorry, wouldn't you agree?"

"Of course, we'll make the switch," Angela agreed, glancing sideways at Edward.

"Wonderful. Thank you both. Goodbye, young friends!" he said with an exaggerated wave.

As they exited, Angela said pointedly, "Why don't you come to my office in say, a half-hour, and we can discuss logistics?"

"Sounds like a plan," Edward agreed. Thoughts of the bogus claims Charlotte had made had long since left his mind, as he thought about Bella moving to his unit. He could keep a much closer eye on her, but he wondered what James and Victoria were up to. Additionally, he was desperate to find out what had transpired that led Aro to believe that her physical safety was at risk.

The thirty minutes he waited to run over to Angela's office were some of the longest of his life. He ran up the stairs in Pod B two at a time, and knocked at the window, showing his id. He had only been in Pod B one other time, and doubt he would be recognized. The guard buzzed him in immediately.

"Hi, I'm Edward Cullen. I have a meeting with Angela."

"Nice to meet you. She's in the restroom, I believe, should be out in a minute. I'm Eric Yorkie- the eyes and ears of this place," he said proudly, motioning to his array of monitors. Edward figured that he couldn't be much older than eighteen. He was very lean with longish dark hair that could use a wash, and his face was deeply acne-scarred.

"Nice to meet you as well," Edward said politely. He couldn't help but scan the monitors quickly, looking for any sign of Bella.

"Edward, come on in," Angela said, emerging from the restroom. He followed her into her office.

After she shut the door behind her, she said, "Forgive my bluntness, but what the fuck was that back there?"

"Remember last month I told you someone offered to get me off if I moved her to Camp? That was Peters. Now she's claiming I offered it to her, that it was my idea. Tyler was around both times she was in my office and he vouched for me, but should I be worried?"

"That bitch," Angela cursed. "I bet she figured this would either get her moved back with her bestie Lauren, which it did, or down to Camp. Either way she wins, never mind what you have to deal with."

"What exactly am I in for here?"

"Actually, probably nothing besides the pain of writing out a statement. Aro is all talk. He wants to act like he's tough on these kinds of things, but it's all political. He could give two shits about any of the people in here- staff or inmates. He will always take the path of least resistance, regardless of consequences down the line. In this case, it's moving her back with Lauren Mallory, who is conveniently bunking with Swan. I'll be damned if I'm putting them in the same room though. I'm going to have to move someone else too."

"Speaking of Swan, what was he talking about back there? Anything I need to be aware of?" Edward hated calling her by her last name- it seemed too impersonal.

"Well, first of all, I didn't want to say this in front of Mike and Aro, but I remember you telling me you knew her back in high school. Is that going to be a problem?"

"No, not at all," he said quickly. "Like I said, I barely knew her. More like, I knew of her," Edward lied smoothly. He hated lying to Angela, but he didn't want to involve her in any of the drama either.

"Okay, just making sure. I didn't want to put you in a position you were uncomfortable with."

"I appreciate that."

"So here's the deal with that. Lauren Mallory is Swan's roommate at the moment. I was actually considering separating them anyway."

"Why is that?" Edward asked, leaning forward.

"Lauren got ahold of some news articles about Swan- about her case, and why she was in here. As you know, young mothers don't take kindly to people who committed crimes involving children. Of course, that's usually when the crimes involve physical or sexual abuse, but these women will find anything to get mad and rally around. I don't know how Lauren got the printouts- the computers in the library don't have a printer connection. So either someone brought them to her from the outside during visitation, or a staff member got them for her. Either way, I'm talking dozens of copies, and she posted them all over the pod- taped in the toilet stalls, stuffed under pillows, et cetera, et cetera. That started Monday night."

"Is she okay?"

"She's fine. I think she's actually pissed off for once, which normally isn't a good thing. But in this case, it's the first time I've seen any kind of emotion coming from her besides either anxiety or depression. Lately, she's just been walking around like a zombie, so it was actually nice to see a fire lit under her ass. Plus, I overheard her yelling at Lauren about something about photographs, but I don't know the story there. Either way, she's pissed."

Edward almost smiled, thinking about how Emmett once aptly called her a Tiger Kitten. "But Aro said she was in danger?" he prodded.

"I doubt it. Most of it was just verbal jarring, calling her names and whatnot. But that fun died down by the end of the next day. It's really just Mallory and her little group that are still making trouble. Pushing her around, messing with her things, dumping her tray in the cafeteria, that sort of thing."

"So why haven't they been disciplined?"

"That's really up to the guards. There have been writeups, but what else can you do?"

Solitary, Edward thought to himself. Bella gets solitary for a made-up offense, and these girls get nothing. Just reprimands.

"Aro said something about her lawyer. Why would he know anything about that?"

"Ah, that," Angela said with a smile. "Rosalie Hale is a bit infamous around here. She's a real ball-buster. Aro's minions always report in when she is in the building- what time she arrived, what time she left, who she is there to see. She is no fluff. She only demands that things be corrected that need to be corrected, like things involving basic human rights. Frankly, I love that woman."

"So, you said you wanted to talk logistics?"

"Yeah, I just said that because I wanted to ask you about Peters. Charlotte can grab her shit and move it over here, Isabella will grab her shit and move it over there. It's not that hard. Here's her file," she said, handing him a relatively thin folder. I'll stop over later and grab Charlotte's."

"I can bring it to you," Edward offered. "You're not getting around so fast these days," he added with a wink.

"You calling me fat, Cullen?"

"Wouldn't dream of it," he said with a smirk.

He asked Officer Laurent, one of the guards in his unit, to facilitate the transfer. He would be perfectly happy never having to interact with Charlotte again. He watched on the monitor after lunch as she gathered her things, and when the bed was clear he called over to Angela. Bella was set to move after she was finished in the mail room that day. Unfortunately, he had been stuck on a phone call when Bella came by with the mail- he wanted to tell her the news himself.

When he returned a bit later to Pod B with Charlotte's file, which was far thicker than Bella's, he came upon a heated discussion between Angela and the blonde woman he saw exiting the chapel with James a few weeks ago.

"Lauren, you need to stop yelling right now and return to your cell," Angela said firmly. "There is no way I am putting you and Charlotte in the same bunk- end of discussion."

"But Mrs. Cheney…" the blonde whined. Angela held her hand up and walked away, and Lauren stormed off with a huff. So that's Lauren Mallory- interesting. Knowing now that she was acquainted with James, he wondered how involved she was in this cell swap.

Bella was standing nervously on the landing, watching the scene below her. Edward followed Angela up the stairs and handed the file over. "Hello Ms. Swan. Are you ready to move?"

"Now?"

"If you're ready. I'm headed back that way, I can take you over."

"That would be great, Edward, thank you," Angela interjected. "Isabella, do you know Edward Cullen? He's going to be your new case manager."

"Yeah, I uh… deliver the mail to him every day," she said quietly.

"Okay, great. He'll help you get settled over there. Listen, even though you're moving, if you ever feel like you need to talk to me about anything, don't hesitate to ask, okay? I'll come right over."

"I appreciate it. Thanks for everything, Angela," Bella said sincerely.

An uncomfortable silence followed as Bella gathered her things and Edward walked her over to Pod A. He could feel Victoria's eyes on them the moment they entered together.

"Um. So yeah- you'll be right here in 102. Your bunkmate is Maggie Mahoney. I'm not sure where she is at the moment, but I think you two will get along fine. She's a bit of a talker, but otherwise won't bother you. Why don't you go ahead and start to get settled while I grab your locker combination from my office?"

"Thank you, Mr. Cullen."

"You can call me Edward," he told her. She eyed him questioningly. "Honestly, there isn't a need to be formal. All of the women in this pod call me by my first name. It would be weird if you didn't."

"Okay. Thank you, Edward," she said, and he relished just for a moment at hearing his name on her lips.

He returned a few minutes later, and Bella opened her locker, placing just a few items inside. "That's pretty," he said, eyeing the dreamcatcher. "Where did that come from?"

"My friend Jacob brought it for me one day. It's supposed to keep bad dreams away."

"Does it work?"

"Not usually," she said with a sigh.

He noticed the worry stone he gave her was not among the few items she put in the locker for safekeeping. He wondered forlornly if she kept it after all.

"Listen, we need to meet."

"Edward, I can't…"

"Officially," he interrupted. "It's required, since you're now under my care. Would you like to do that now, before dinner?"

"Sure, I guess so."

Once again, silence followed as they went back upstairs to his office. He shut the door behind them. She was looking down into her lap, not meeting his gaze.

"Look, Bella- I know you've been avoiding talking to me. I want you to know that I completely understand. We can keep this strictly business, if that's what you want."

"I need you to understand that it's not what I want. It's just how it needs to be."

"The Warden was worried that your safety might be in jeopardy. I'm not sure if Angela told you that."

"She mentioned it. I'm really fine though."

"You're not fine, Bella," Edward said frustrated. "Look, the last thing I want to do is hold you captive and force you to talk to me. There are enough people around here forcing you to do things, and I refuse to be one of them. But I need you to know that I am here to listen. I am really worried about James and Victoria, and I think they are behind getting you transferred over here, but I don't know why yet. Yes, we have to be careful. It needs to be that way. But I am also a social worker and the person you are supposed to go to if people are giving you problems… including guards. Is there anything you want to tell me?" He watched with anguish as her bottom lip quivered.

"No. There's nothing," she said shakily. He could hear the lie in her voice. "What is it that you need to discuss… officially?"

Edward sighed and opened her file, which he hadn't yet looked through. "Just need to confirm a few things. You have three approved visitors- your father, your brother, and Jacob Black. Is this still accurate?"

Bella nodded. Edward was desperate to ask her more about this Jacob Black, who came to visit and brought her presents, but he resisted.

"You have plenty of balance in your commissary. Phone card working okay?"

"Yes."

"As far as your schedule, you work in the mail room from 8-2 every day. Our afternoon Rec time is 2:15 to 3, so that will be a change for you. Dinner is also 45 minutes later than you are used to. Your mandatory AA meeting would then be right after dinner. Sound okay?"

"Yes."

"You have an art class twice a week and a legal course every Saturday. Do you want to keep these?"

"Do I have to?"

"No. You don't have to do anything you don't want to."

Bella laughed dryly. "Now that's not entirely true, is it?"

"I know Angela told you it's important to have activities to keep busy."

"They aren't doing anything but frustrating me more."

"Then you're done with them, no problem," Edward agreed.

Edward grit his teeth as he flipped the page in the file. "You have one disciplinary report on file for drugs and assaulting a guard. I know I don't have to tell you that behavior is unacceptable."

"That's been made very clear, thank you," she said with a shudder. "I have no wish to go back to solitary."

"I wanted to help you, but I couldn't," Edward said, breaking his professional façade. "There was literally nothing I could do. I'm so sorry, Bella," he said dejectedly.

"You can't do that, Edward. Don't start apologizing. None of this is on you." Her eyes were blazing now. She was angry. His Tiger Kitten was back, and it was actually a joy to see.

"I can't help it, Bella. I feel fucking helpless in here," he admitted.

"You can't make it about what you can and can't do for me," she said firmly. She pulled a small object out of her pocket. "This is what matters. That I know you're here, and you're behind me- that you believe me. I keep this with me always. And… I know I don't act like it, but until today, delivering your damn mail was the highlight of my day. You being here is enough. That's why we need to stay safe. If I lost you..." she trailed off.

"You're right," he agreed. "But as your case worker, if you feel at all like you are being harassed, or in danger, please come to me- I'm begging you."

Bella nodded, biting her lower lip. "Is there anything else… officially?"

His heart clenched and he closed the file and shook his head. Glancing quickly out the window to check for any unexpected eavesdroppers, he looked into her eyes. "I fucking love you so much it hurts. You have to know that."

"I know," she said with a small smile. "I'm sorry I've been so distant, but I know you know why. And Edward?"

"Yes?"

"I fucking love you too."

A/N- Some progress, right? Next Chapter, Bella meets Maggie. I suspect you all will like Maggie. As promised, no angst next chapter!