Chapter 6: After Action

Edward

Bella was my clean slate. She was the first woman I've dated since high school and Samantha. I hadn't even shown interest in anyone. My friends tried setting me up with no success. I had refused to meet the girl they thought was perfect for me.

I was not going to hear the end of it from Emmett when he found out I was dating someone. Yes, I wanted to see Bella again. My past was holding me back, though, and I wasn't sure how to tell Bella. I knew I had to. The only one I could trust to give me solid advice was Dad, not that I couldn't talk to Mom.

"Mom, where's Dad?" I asked from the doorway of her home office.

She looked up at me. "His laptop is updating, so he had to go to the hospital to approve the ER's staff timesheets. Is there something I can help you with?"

Swiping my hand down my face, I shook my head. "I need to speak with him about something. I'll head over to the hospital."

Mom's lips disappeared as she pressed her lips together.

"What is it?"

She took a deep breath. "You know you can talk to me about anything."

I nodded.

She stared at me in such a way that I knew she was waiting for me to tell her what was on my mind.

A sigh left me. Mom wasn't going to let me get away as she had in the past. "The town is not going to let me be happy," I said. "I met Bella at the diner and for the moment I entered, their eyes were on me, more so when she joined me."

Mom slammed her hand down on the desk. "It's been ten years. Why can't they let you move on?"

Shrugging, I turned to leave. "I wish I could answer that."

~~ Black Cat ~~

Digging my phone out of my pocket, I navigated to Bella's number and hit call. Ringing could be from the front room. It was a bit strange. I followed the sound and found an unfamiliar iPhone in a case with the Celtic Tree of Life on it.

I knew instantly it was Bella's phone. She probably didn't know it was missing yet.

'Well, there goes going straight to the hospital to talk to Dad,' I thought as I pocketed both of our phones.

After writing a brief note to put on Bella's car window, I left the house.

~~ Black Cat ~~

The hospital loomed in front of me. I swallowed hard. The fastest way to Dad's office was through the ER entrance. Standing frozen in the parking lot, I tried to calm my racing heart. The last time I was able to walk through the doors was after I received a call from Samantha's parents.

Squaring my shoulders, I reminded myself it had been ten years since Samantha was beaten to death. The town was quick to point an accusatory finger my way. The state police believe my story and checked my alibi. The town didn't care and blamed me to this day.

'One foot in front of the other,' I commanded myself.

My chest tightened as memories raced to the forefront of my mind. I kept walking with my eyes forward and willed myself not to look around. Soon, I was in the hall leading to Dad's office.

He was in his office. "Have a minute to talk?" I asked when he looked up after I knocked.

"Yes, but I don't have long. There are possible injures coming in from an incident the starbase is dealing with."

Oh, I hadn't heard anything on the radio about an accident. "Hopefully, nothing too serious," I said, taking a seat in front of his desk and sighing.

He shrugged. "What's on your mind?"

"Bella."

"You're going to have to give me more than that."

I told him the same thing I told Mom. "I don't want to rush things, Dad. In the short time I've known her, strong feelings for her are developing," I stated before explaining what the barest hint of a kiss made me feel.

Dad was silent when I finished. His email pinged. He glanced at it and then picked up his phone, dialing.

I tuned him out.

"We're ready. Bella, how are you doing?" he said.

Bella?

They chit-chatted a bit and I again tuned Dad out, well until he mentioned dinner.

"I'll have Edward text you the address or he could come and pick you up."

Dad looked up and over at me. I nodded. Picking Bella up would be better.

"The driveway is a little hard to find."

I stood and made to leave.

"Edward," Dad called.

I peered at him from over my shoulder.

"I'm all for you protecting your heart, especially given what happened with your last relationship."

Taking a deep breath, I thought about what he said as I turned to face him. "If you could have seen how they were staring at the diner, Dad. The town is still blaming me for what happened to Samantha."

Dad cupped and rubbed his chin. "They are damn fools," he said. "Samantha's death was not your fault. The coroner was an idiot, ruling her injuries as a result of an accident. It was no fucking accident."

"Dad, calm down." I took another deep breath. "Bella's seems different from any girl I've met. I just want to get to know her, first."

Dad smiled. "And that's all good, but don't be afraid to explore your feelings."

I returned his smile. "If the brief kiss I gave her is any indication, I am exploring them."

Dad's smile got larger. "Dinner is going to be interesting. I'll let your mother know."

Bella

With a sigh, I set my phone down on my desk, not replying to Edward's text. What was I going to do? Daniela was who I usually called and she was gone for the month.

A knock came at my door. I looked up. Sam? They were already back.

"Delta squad is here," he said. "They are ready to debrief."

"Can I ask your advice on a personal matter first?"

He came in and closed the door.

I explained the dilemma I was facing, leaving out my fear of Jacob finding me through Edward.

"Jacob sounds like a Grade A asshole. I know Edward. He's a fierce protector." Sam rubbed the back of his neck. "I do understand your fear of Jacob finding you and using Edward to do it."

"Huh?"

"I know you didn't say anything to that effect, but the fear is written all over your face."

All I could do was stare at Sam.

"As for Edward picking up, you could have him pick you up here. Although… I don't see any reason you can't give him your home address. As I said, he's a protector. He would rather die than betray you."

Picking up my phone, I typed in my home address. I hit send. "Okay, let's get this debrief done."

~~ Black Cat ~~

Admiral Frakes was leaning against one of the desks when Sam and I entered the bullpen. Frakes' squad and mine were lounging around on the floor or in chairs.

"Your bullpen, Admiral Swan, your debrief," he said.

Pulling in a deep breath through my nose, I released it slowly. "Let's start with the call out. Was all the necessary information given to your squad?" I asked Frakes.

A frown marred his features.

"No, ma'am," someone said. "If the full situation had been explained, we would have been prepared."

"What was the scene like when you arrived?" Leah asked.

She looked over at me, a grimace on her face. "Sorry, ma'am."

I shared a look with Sam and Frakes.

"It's a good question," Frakes said. "Anyone care to answer?"

"Ma'am, the area near Quillayute airport seemed quiet when we arrived."

I nodded and they went on.

"We approached with caution, that's when we were ambushed."

"Do you feel you were targeted?" Frakes asked.

"Yes, Sir," a blond guy said. "The Forks sheriff deputies were hunkered down at the airport. It wasn't until we were policing our brass we learned they took fire when they arrived."

Hmmm. "How long were you on-site before you determined additional assistance was needed?"

"Three minutes," Frakes said.

"So, your team was en route when Black Cat was put on alert?" I asked to clarify the timeline.

"Yes," Frakes answered. "It's not common practice, but something about the request from the deputies wasn't sitting right with me."

Nodding again, I moved the debriefing along. "Was full disclosure given in the mission brief to Black Cat?"

"As much information as we could give," a Delta's captain supplied.

"Lieutenant Clearwater," I said, said facing Seth, "give me an overview of the brief."

I had read it and knew what it said. It was a test to see what Sam disclosed. "Silent approach. Keep weapons hidden."

"Anything else?"

He closed his eyes and scrunched up his face. "Not that I recall, ma'am."

Seth passed. "Okay. Commander Call, was the information helpful?"

Embry raised an eyebrow and looked to Sam.

'Is she asking what I think she is?'

"Commander, the admiral is waiting for an answer," Sam remarked. "Provide her one."

"Yes, Admiral Swan. We were not seen as a threat and the terrorist was apprehended ten minutes after we arrived."

"It was impressive," the Delta captain said. "Had we been told to keep our weapons out of sight, we wouldn't have needed assistance."

"Thank you," I said. "Write up the after-action reports and submit them Frakes by the end of the day Monday. Dismissed."

Frakes grinned at me. "Nicely handled, Bella," he said.

"Thanks, Bo. Did I miss anything?"

He shook his head. "You got to the heart of it fast."

I raised an eyebrow. "What went wrong," he stated.

"But was the lack of information the only reason things went wrong?"

"In my opinion, yes, but the deputies are not conditioned to take heavy fire. They gave us what they could."

I wiggled my nose. "True. Let's get out of here."