Chapter Eleven

The day started off well, the smile from the night before still on her face after the lunch with Jasper and now she was on her way over to one of the diners near the station so they could have breakfast. It was a spot that was between both the firehouse and the station really, a location that could have them be seen by both Firehouse and Police... was this a hint that they were finally stepping past the hidden secrecy and mock jabs when around their work members to be an open couple?

She honestly can't remember why they hid it in the first place.

A small smile tugged at her lips as she opened the door for the elder couple on their way out and stepped into the diner, her eyes roaming over the place for Jasper, only for her heart to freeze as she took in Jasper standing near the back and a blonde practically devouring his face. He had no clue on who the fuck she was but he knocked a glass from her table as he went to the one behind hers and once he helped her she yanked him into a kiss.

Jasper yanked his head back and pushed the woman away at the assault and opened his mouth to curse violently at her, pausing only when he saw the wicked smirk upon her lips and her eyes cast towards the door. His own heart hammered in his chest as he turned to see Bella at the door, her eyes wide, but it was the look in them that felt as if someone reached in and ripped out his lungs. They stood at a stalemate for a horrifying moment as he stood frozen, only to snap out of it as Bella turned on her foot and strode out the door.

He rushed after her, reaching the door as she reached the corner. "Bella wait!"

A curse slipped past his lips as he pivoted on his foot and went back inside to gather his jacket and glared at the woman with as much of his hate and anger he could muster. "What the fuck?"

"Oops?" The woman giggled with a soft smile but Jasper knew that whoever the woman was it wasn't an accident. His glare was replaced by a smirk as he pulled out his cuffs and spun her around.

"You're under arrest for assaulting a police officer." He said with satisfaction before dragging her out of the diner with her screaming profanities at him in Russian. He had to take her in and then call Bella, he needed to explain that what she saw wasn't what she thought... he couldn't lose her.

Bella stormed past her team with fury and embarrassment burning in her throat as tears stung at her eyes. How could she have been so stupid? Of course Jasper didn't want anything more than a quick fling and someone to warm his bed, their texts and everything that happened between their visits between the sheets were just him being friendly. She thought that something special was happening between them and somewhere along the line she foolishly fell head over heels again...

She closed the door to the resting room, head smacking on the hardwood and let a tear slip down her cheek. She estimated that she would have peace for a couple of moments before the boys and Jane came in, it was enough time for her to gather her composure.

"Bella?" It was a voice the sucked all the energy out of her and igniting her rage once more.

She wiped away the stray tear before steeling her spine and turning to face the familiar face that she hoped to never see again. "Carlisle, I did not think I'd ever see you again after the court hearing."

Carlisle Cullen, the father of her bastard of an ex looked the exact same as she saw him last. Dressed to the nines in a three piece suit and loafers, golden hair not one strand out of place or a hint of grey. Except the youthful face and smile was replaced with dark bags, tired eyes and a downturned mouth. It made her pause.

"I know my son deserved it after what he had done, it was a shock to myself and a blow to everything I stand for. I had failed in raising Edward and Elizabeth, god bless her soul, would be appalled by the way he turned out." Carlisle started before pulling out an envelope and holding it for her to take. "I see that now."

Frowning she took the envelope and peered inside, her brows rose high as she took in the cheque before her and the amount. "I can't accept this."

"Bella, take it." Carlisle explained as he took a step forward and curled her fingers around the cheque gently. "I had come to love you as a daughter long ago, you gave us so much and yet all I and my family did was hurt you in return. This should cover the legal costs, the hospital bills and damages as well as all you paid for their wedding, it is the least I could do."

"But why now?" She asked once the shock began to wear off, squinting at him in suspicion.

Carlisle sighed heavily, his hand running through his hair as he took several steps back. "Esme and I divorced; she left me when I cut Edward off from the money. His new wife drained his trust dry; he threw his schooling away at her whims after the court suit and his mother could never tell him no... I wasn't going to support he, his bride and the child that was never Edwards."

"Sorry what was that?" She demanded shocked, the child was one of the reasons why Edward had married the woman.

"When Eddie started to get older, the less he looked like his father. I got suspicious, Esme said I was just seeing things but when we looked after him while Edward and Tanya went on a round the world cruise I did a DNA test... it came back negative." Carlisle explained just as the door to the lounge slammed open with enough force that the glass rattled.

Demetri stood within the doorframe looking beyond furious with Felix at his back. "What are you doing here Doctor Cullen? I do believed you were warned to stay out of Seattle like your son."

"Demetri," Bella warned. "I do believe this was a private conversation."

"No Bells, that asshole hurt you and then nearly fucked over your career." Felix interrupted darkly. "You would be Captain by now if it wasn't because of the black mark from the court case, you're just lucky that Chief fought for you to keep your job and not get demoted."

Carlisle cringed at the news, he didn't realise the damage had been as bad as that. "I'm sorry Bella."

"Carlisle," Marcus stated just as he stepped into the room from the other door. "You and I need to talk, now."

With a nod Carlisle began to make his way towards Marcus, giving Bella a nod as he passed and cast a look towards Demetri and Felix as he did so. The three waited for the moment the door closed behind the two before Demetri whirled around to face Bella once more.

"What were you thinking Bella? You should have walked away or called me the moment any Cullen comes near you." Demetri said with a frown, his anger evident in both his voice and stance. "It could have been a trap for all we know, you know how cunning Carlisle Cullen is when he wants to be."

There was many things Bella wanted to say but she was just tired, oh so tired of this day already. Her heart broken and just this mess... today was just not her day. Tears pooled in her eyes as her anger wore off once again, leaving her breathless. She lifted a shaky hand to her mouth and pressed as a sob tried to escape, her free hand scrunching the cheque tightly.

Demetri dropped his arms and took a step forward as tears pooled in one of his eldest friends eyes. "What happened?"

"Just... just leave it alone DeLuca." Bella said and took a deep breath to calm her nerves, shooting them both a look before storming out of the room to her office bunk. She closed the door with a bang and hurried to close the blinds before collapsing on the bed with a choked sob.

She threw the cheque on her nightstand and pulled open the draw and pulled out her planner, flipping to the middle for the Polaroid image inside. It was of her and Jasper just last week, they were in bed and he had pulled her to his chest, snapping the photo as she burst out into laughter. It was a memory she had cherished, one that made her fall in love with him, it was now a memory tainted.

A knock on her door had her shoving the image back in the draw with the book hastily. "Come in."

Peter stepped into the room instantly, closing the door behind him with a frown as he took in the bloodshot eyes of his lieutenant. "You alright lieutenant?"

"What do you want Whitlock?" She asked with a sigh.

The Texan frowned at the flat tone he hadn't heard directed at him since he joined the House. "Jasper said ya left in a hurry before he could explain, he tried ta call ya ta explain but it's going right to voicemail."

He was not expected for the fury to rise upon her face, nor was he expected for her to stand so abruptly and very close to his person. Her dark eyes burned and he just knew that his brother was in so much fucking trouble but he wasn't a hundred percent sure if he would survive her wrath or not.

"I went to the diner for breakfast only to see him with his tongue shoved down this blonde woman's throat." She snarled furiously, shocking Peter to the core especially what followed next. "I know we weren't dating but I thought we could be something... I was stupid enough to fall in love again and..."

The alarm blared out just as Peter opened his mouth to speak, stilling the both of them.

Structure fire, truck 91, engine 86, squad 5, ambulance 61

1930 6th Ave S

"Shit," Bella muttered as she threw open her door and strode towards the trucks, it was going to be a long clusterfuck of a day.

Author Note: DONT SHOOT ME! *builds barricade*