Chapter Two

Muttered curses filled the area as Bella rolled the hose in her hands back up correctly and hoisted it over her shoulder with a grunt. Whoever rolled it up and stored it previously obviously needs to go back to basic training; she shouldn't be doing this when there were other things that needed tending to and a candidate that was in house. But he was on cooking duty at this current time and this needed to be done, everyone else was busy taking care of their own gear or had previously done it over the last few times it needed to be done.

Or in some cases… refused to do it claiming sore back or just in general mutters as they kept their eyes glued to the TV.

Effectively it has also been a long shift with call after call, two drunk drivers, a house fire started by a kid and a barbeque, a cat stuck in a wall and just... idiots… her mood was very low and temper high.

"Need some help with that, Darlin', looks a tad awkward." A voice drawled, catching Bella's attention and adding to her irritation.

"Nah, I'm all good." She managed to throw back over her shoulder as she shifted to the truck.

A deep chuckle sounded from the mysterious male behind her as she managed to kick a haphazardly placed boot and stumble several feet before catching herself. A slew of curses left Bella's lips once more as she saw that it was one of Pete's, it seemed she needed to have another discussion with him about where he left his stuff.

"Doesn't look like it, Darlin'," The voice drawled out once more, full of amusement and pushing her over her limit.

She placed the hose back in its correct storage, slammed the door down and turned toward the stranger, ready to give the asshole a tongue lashing and just downright whoop ass only to pause as she took in the man before her.

He was tall, short blond wavy hair and storm grey eyes that twinkled in mischief. A leather jacket covered his torso and he was dressed in familiar looking slacks… he was… still an infuriating asshole who managed to get on her bad side with the smirk that pulled at his lips.

"Hey, lunch is rea… Jasper?" Peter called in surprise as he slipped down the fire pole to see his older brother, worry churned in his chest at the unexpected sight of him. "I thought you were on shift till like eight?"

With a grimace Jasper sighed, running his free hand through his hair. "I was… I got hurt an' the chief sent me home for the next three days."

Within an instant, Peter was at his brothers' side and hovering around him anxiously to see what it was that happened to his brother and practically ripped the jacket from his torso but still careful while he was at it. Jasper stopped his brother as he went to lift the hem of his shirt, giving him a pointed look at the woman and back.

Bella rolled her eyes at the gesture and cast a look between the two; she could see the difference in them and yet they had the same eye colour and cheekbones. "Oh don't mind me, s'not like I haven't seen better or anything." She stated dryly, ignoring the huff while she trained her eyes on Peter. "When you are done and have eaten, the showers need to be cleaned and your boots will be placed back in their place."

"Sorry Lieutenant, I'll get to it right away," Peter replied with a shamefaced grin while his brother's eyes glittered with his own. Bella narrowed her eyes at them both but nodded before disappearing into the hallway that leads to upstairs.

Jasper whistled low and cocked a brow at his brother, hissing as Peter whacked him in the stomach. Pain radiated from his cracked ribs and he waved off his brothers' frantic apologies. "Good, I'm good, just a few cracked ribs. I took two bullets to the vest in a raid, I'm fine Pete."

"Why did no one inform me?" Peter asked with a grunt and then sighed. "You know I…"

The annoyance at his brother's hovering evaporated quickly at the choked off sentence and the tears that were gathering in his eyes. His heart clenched at the vulnerability in his brother and Jasper kicked himself at what pain he had just caused by turning up out of the blue when he was supposed to be on shift.

"Peter, I'm sorry… I'm fine, honest." He confessed gently, placing a supporting hand on his brother. It had been nearly two years since the incident that lead to both he and his brother moving far away from their family home in Texas.

Jasper had been doing undercover and had brought down the drug cartel that was running across the border. One of them in any case, he'd been in deep with them since he had left the academy and rose quite fast in Maria's ranks till he was her right-hand man. His cover was blown one night and Maria had sent hitmen to his home before she was arrested… He took a bullet to the chest that nearly killed him…

"No, it's… I have to…" Peter managed to choke out, wiping an errant tear and gesturing to the boots. "I'll show ya around when I'm done if ya want?"

Taking the change in topic Jasper nodded with a small smile before wagging his brows, much like his partner did and much like Peter did as well. He hoped that it would rile his brother, make him smile and take his mind off the pain. "So who was that?"

Okay, he didn't intend to bring up the woman with the sinful curves or the way his fingers itched to get caught in her braided hair, nor did he intend to think of the way her eyes sparkled like wildfire as she stared down at him unimpressed. She was stunning and reminded him much like a wild colt with a rattlesnake tongue.

Peter turned towards his brother slowly in mid crouch to see his eyes drawn to the door Lieutenant Swan left, his brows raising in surprise at the look he saw in them, one that he hadn't seen since Alice. "That… was my lieutenant an' I suggest ya not t'go there."

"Why?" Jasper asked, tearing his eyes away from the door and faced his brother who was grinning once more.

"Because I'm pretty sure not only would she take a chunk out of your hide but her brother would, too." Peter drawled out, waiting.

The snort that escaped Jasper was one of amusement, "I'm sure I'll be fine."

"Doubt it," Peter explained with a grin.

"Oh, and why's that?" Jasper asked with a raised brow, scowling as Peter merely shrugged.

"You'll see, now ya wanna tour or what?" Peter asked, ducking away with a laugh as Jasper mock swiped at him. Tonight was going to be interesting, he just has to make sure that everyone keeps the secret till then.

After all, Jasper hasn't been Emmett's partner for long and the brute doesn't have anything but his name connecting him to the lieutenant just in case he had gained a target on him in his line of work. Something the lieutenant told him once he was here for six months and had met him.

And if his brother stared at her like he had when he came down with Emmett around… It was gonna be fun indeed.

Author Note: Yep, here ya go... Some Peter and some Jasper!