Sorry about the huge delay, but real life decided to step up and I've been really busy. I hope you won't have to wait this long again.

Chapter 5 – Revelations

Republic of the Congo

4:58am GMT+1

EPOV

Bella.

Oh god! What do I do?

A million questions ran through my mind. What was she doing here? Bella wasn't the combat type. How did she get into this? What did they do to her? What would I say to her when she woke up? So many questions that only led to more questions, and I had no answers.

I forced myself to maintain a neutral expression while I gently cleaned the wounds on Bella's arm. That white line seemed so obvious to me, even as faint as it was. I couldn't seem to completely tear my eyes away.

Emmett noticed something was off with me, but he remained mute. I knew that he wouldn't say anything until we were alone or I brought it up myself. I decided I needed answers and the blonde was the only one around to provide them.

"Garrett, Ben, scout out up ahead and look for a safe place for us to bunker down for the night," I ordered. Daylight was coming quickly and we needed to get out of the open, as open as the jungle got anyway.

The two men headed off without anything further. I had little doubt they would find something suitable in very little time. Sending Ben and Garrett served two purposes; we really did need a safe place for the day, and I needed to ask some questions about Bella. While they were good men, they knew nothing of my past and I didn't feel the need to enlighten them. The fewer people who knew about it, the better.

I looked up at the thick canopy that blocked out the stars I knew were above. It was obvious I was gathering my thoughts for something, but it wasn't like I was trying to hide it.

I looked down and turned my attention to the blonde. Even with all the dirt on her face and the dull lamp light, I could see the suspicious look on her face. She wasn't sure if she could trust me and I couldn't blame her. I was acting a bit odd.

I was the first to break the tense silence. "Would you mind telling me your name?"

She seemed to study me for a moment before answering me and I didn't miss the subtle glance she shot in Emmett's direction. "My name is Rosalie Hale. My team leader's name is..."

"Bella Swan."

Rosalie's eyes narrowed in suspicion, while Emmett's about bugged out of his head. Jasper, who up until now had been off to the side, stepped forward with a quietly whispered; "holy shit."

Rosalie took in their expressions and looked back at me. "Who the hell are you and how do you know Bella?" She definitely wasn't holding back on the venom in her voice.

"I knew Bella back in high school, though I doubt she remembers me, let alone ever mentioned me. I'm..."

Rosalie waved her hand to cut me off before I could even get my name out. She picked up the lamp before coming to stand before me. She held the lamp up and her eyes bored into mine. The ice blue seemed to thaw as she reached up to remove my hat to let loose my uncontrollable hair. She stared at me in shock before giving me a small smile.

"Oh, she remembers and mentions you quite frequently...Edward Cullen."

An abandoned poacher's cabin

1:14pm GMT+1

BPOV

The darkness began to lift in my mind and the fog started to roll in. It felt like weights were holding down my limbs. I was defenseless as I waited for the prick and sting that heralded my decent into the darkness once again.

Maybe someone was slacking off and forgot to give me another dose. Maybe I was adjusting to the drug and was coming out of it sooner than usual. In case it was the latter, I made sure to keep my body still and my breathing steady so I didn't give myself away. I strained my ears but the only sounds I could pick up on were Rosalie's breathing and the occasionally rubbing of clothes as she shifted.

As my body became stronger, and my mind clearer, I picked up another noise. It sounded like two people snoring softly a small ways away, probably in the same tent. Why would they be in here? I sensed one more person in the room, but I couldn't pick up any tell-tale signs. The mystery person was either highly trained to remain undetectable, or my imagination was running away on me. I was going with my instincts, as I always did, and they told me someone else was in here. My guess was there were also more outside.

The last thing I noticed was that I was no longer tied to the chair. If fact, I wasn't tied up at all. I was lying down on some kind of hard surface with what felt like a sleeping bag underneath me, and rolled up cloth under my head, possibly a jacket.

I wasn't sure how much timed had past while I faked still being unconscious, but I finally felt like most of my strength had returned. It was time to make a move.

Without, so much as a premature flicker to give away my intent, I swung my feet up and vaulted backwards off the table. I landed and immediately shifted my weight to the balls of my feet and brought my arms up into a fighting stance.

I fought through vertigo and immediately scanned for a weapon, but my gaze fell to Rose who was now standing at the other end of the table with her hands raised to show me she was untied. Her half smile and small nod told me that we were no longer in any danger. I relaxed my stance, but maintained my vigilance.

I noticed the two men that had been sleeping were now up. One was rather tall with curly blonde hair and wide gray eyes. The other was shorter with a darker complexion and black hair and eyes. Both were wearing fatigues that marked them a US Special Forces.

"I apparently missed something," I said dryly. My eyes flitted around for the other man that I sensed. It took me a minute, but I finally made out his faint outline in the darkened corner at the far end of the room.

Rose walked to my side. "We were pulled out by a team of Green Berets during the night. We have to rendezvous with their chopper in about 7 hours. We have about 30 kilometers to go, meaning will have to run most of the way. Are you up for that?"

"I'll be fine," I answered. I was a bit weak yet, but I would run all the way to the Atlantic if it meant getting out of this jungle. I looked to the two officers standing in the middle of the room, ignoring the man in the corner for now. "I believe introductions are in order."

The blonde man stepped forward. He had a somewhat boyish face and a lanky build, but I could see that certain hardness in his eyes and the strength in those long limbs. "I'm 1st Lieutenant Jasper Whitlock, this man here is Sergeant 1st Class Benjamin Amun. There are two men outside. The massive goofy one is 1st Lieutenant Emmett McCarty and the other one is Staff Sergeant Garrett Davis."

I indicated the man in the corner with my chin. "And who's he?"

Rose smiled at me. "Oh, you already know him. Why don't we leave you two to chat." Rose turned and briskly walked out the door with the two men trailing behind here. The man in the corner still didn't move. As much as he was freaking me out I wouldn't show it.

I sat down in the nearest chair and looked around the room. We were in what appeared to be in abandoned cabin, probably used by poachers. There was the table I had been lying on in the center of the room with a few mismatched chairs scattered about. A sink, counter, and wood burning stove made up the rest of the grim décor.

I looked back to the corner and noticed that he was shifted from one foot to the other, almost as if he was nervous. "So are going to talk to me, or just continue to hide in the corner?" I asked dryly.

"I'm not sure if you really want me to."

The voice hit me like a tidal wave. I wanted it to be, but it was impossible. Wasn't it? Edward had joined the military right out of high school. He'd had enough time to make it to the one rank that was missing from this squad. No Captain had been introduced to me.

My voice was shaky, but a manage to squeak out one word. "Edward?"

I watched as he stepped forward. One more step brought him into the dim light, and I felt a tear slide down my cheek. Even covered in dirt and sweat, he was beautiful. More so now that he had filled out a bit with muscle and had a few light lines in the corners of his eyes.

Almost against my will I walked towards him. I watched as my hand seemed to move on its own to smooth that unruly bronze hair like I had so many times before. My hand slid down to his cheek and he closed those amazingly green eyes and turned his face into my hand as if to savor it. Was it possible that after all this time he still loved me?

Edward pulled in one more deep breath before he opened his eyes and took a step back. "We need to get out of here if we're going to make it to the chopper."

He started walking towards the door, but I grabbed his arm to stop him. He stopped but didn't turn around to look at me.

"Can we talk later?" I asked.

He turned his head towards me and gave me a small sad smile. "I would like nothing better."

I released his arm and we went out the door.

Outside, I met McCarty and Davis. McCarty acted like a kid sometimes, but I was positive he could turn into a SF machine at any moment. He was kind of like the big brother I always wanted. I didn't fail to pick up on the glances passed between him and Rose. Only Rose could draw a guys attention with matted hair, so much dirt that you couldn't see her face, and we both probably stank to high heaven.

I instantly took a liking to Davis too. Then again, he gave me a gun and k-bar.

As we loaded up, we exchanged info and made small talk. I was relieved to find out that Alice and Jacob had been picked up about 5 days ago and we would meet them at the embassy in Brazzaville, before going back to the states together. Maybe we would get lucky and Marcus would send the private jet.

I learned that Ben had a girlfriend named Tia and Garrett was about to celebrate his 4th anniversary with his wife Kate, whom he met through Edward. I was about to ask how, but decided against it.

Within about 15 minutes we were suited up. All talking ceased as we let are training take over. Then we all followed Edward into the jungle.

Rendezvous Point

11:53pm GMT+1

BPOV

We were crouched down at the edge of the clearing waiting for the chopper. Silence reigned until I heard the whooshing sound of the approaching helicopter. Just as it was starting to touch down the hairs on the back of my neck started to rise. We were going to have to break for it fast.

I told my concerns to Edward and I couldn't help but smile a bit when he didn't question me or blow it off. He passed the signal to his men and as soon as the skids hit the ground we bolted.

Almost immediately the pop, pop, pop sound of a gun met my ears. The shots were coming form a sniper rifle at the edge of the clearing to our left. We kept moving because it takes one hell of a sniper to hit a target running at full speed.

When we were almost to our goal, Ben went down with a bullet in the leg. Edward and Emmett went back for him and I continued the last few feet to the chopper. At the door, I stopped and dropped down to one knee and swung the rifle over my shoulder. I had no scope, but I was a very good sniper. I aimed in the general area and waited for the next shot. As soon as it fired, I located the flash and pulled the trigger.

I heard the scream, indicating a hit, but there was still the spotter to worry about. I kept watching as the rest loaded up. I was about to get in myself when another round went off. It grazed my shoulder, but I ignored the sting and fired. I didn't wait to hear if I hit him.

I got on the chopper and strapped in while the pilot lifted off.

And I just smiled when I caught Edward's shocked stare.

Washington D.C.

6:13pm EST

Unknown POV

I was looking at the picture on my desk, when I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in," I said.

A white house aid came in and shut the door. "Sir, We just got the report that Captain Cullen and his team made it out with mission accomplished. They are currently en route to the embassy and will be back in the states the day after tomorrow."

"Thank you. Will there be anything else?"

"Yes, you have a call on line 3."

I nodded and the aid left. I picked up the phone and greeted the caller. I was shocked by the recorded voice that answered me.

"You may have won this time, but I will win in the end. I will take my revenge on you and you will suffer unspeakably before I do. Just you wait...General."

As I hung up the phone I noticed my hand was shaking. It had been nearly 20 years since I had last heard that voice and I was only sure of one thing.

Aro Volturi would go after my family first.

Thanks for editing for me Jersey!