20:31

I know. I know. Long, very long hiatus. But here I am updating.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, Twilight and its characters being to SM.

**I changed my penname to "mybirdhouse"-I just felt that I shouldn't just have my penname associated to Twilight since readers only view me as a only Twilight author, which I plan to change.

Isabella Swan.

"Something wrong, Isabella?" Edward questioned with raised eyebrows.

"Aside from the fact that we're married, no. Everything is peachy."

"Ah, don't sound too excited. Besides I think we make a cute couple, don't you agree? We're like the new Bradgelina?"

I stood up and began cleaning up the empty cartons, I laughed, "Are you calling yourself the next Brad Pitt?"

"You could be my Angelina." He smirked, but I smiled softly as he too, began cleaning and tidying the pillows on the couch.

"Is there an angry ex girlfriend I should be concerned about?" I asked as I walked into the kitchen. When he didn't answer right away, I turned around to see him looking down at the carpet as if it was the most interesting thing in the room.

Edward looked up, trying to look anywhere but my calculating stare, "Edward, I'm sorry."

He shook his head, "No, you don't have to worry about a crazy ex."

I could not shake the feeling of relief and possibly happiness as he shared this small piece of information with me.

"What about you? Any ex-boyfriend I should worry about? Leave anyone back in Italy?" Edward joked.

I did not answer him and was grateful when he did not push the question any further, but he did meet my eyes from across the room.

Jake was not a boyfriend, but more like a lover. A lover that I probably should have never been involved with.

He was the target of a popular gang, who were notorious for taking out their target within a matter of days. My mission was to protect him and keep him out of harms way. I learned what my training had drilled into my head-never mix work and emotions together-it's a nasty combination. Though I carried out my mission, Jake walked away safe and I with a broken heart.

We settled back on the couch and reopened the case file, discussing the smaller details of our undercover mission.

"So basically we're playing house as we gather Intel about the drug cartel that killed Agents Watson and Polsen," Edward summarized. "I like it."

I smirked, "I'm glad you approve, dear."

Edward checked his watch, and I glanced at the wall clock, it was around 11 and we both knew that we would have to get up early for work tomorrow. He stood up and began gathering all his belongings and walked towards the door as I followed him to let him out.

He paused before opening the door and turned back around to face me, "I'm going to head home, I'll pick you up at 0630." I gave him a weird look in response.

"You don't have a car yet and I think we should let --- sleep in tomorrow, we could also grab some breakfast."

"That is you reason? Here I thought you wanted an excuse to spend more time with me?' I complained as I pouted my lips.

He smiled, "Alright, you caught me. I'll see you in the morning," he paused, "my lovely wife."

"Goodnight darling," I watched him walk down the hall and into the elevator.

I went into my bedroom and began to unpack my bags, deciding that a shower would help with the jet lag.

Edward Masen.

The next morning…

I slammed my hand at the blaring alarm as I rolled out of bed and walked into the bathroom. I took a glance at myself in the mirror and grimaced at the bed head that I was currently sporting.

How do women find this sexy?

After showering and getting dressed, I drove over to Bella's apartment and noticed that I was ten minutes early.

I decided to just head up to her place, taking the elevator I was greeted with the same bellboy that Bella nearly ran into last night.

"So you are picking up your girlfriend?" He asked, trying to make light conversation.

Not bothering to explain that I was actually a federal officer, I just nodded, "Yeah, I'm taking her out to breakfast."

"Kind of early, don't you think?"

"Yeah, well our jobs require us to be there early."

"No wonder she was so excited to get to her room last night, she probably was exhausted and only wanted to sleep."

"Yeah, sorry about running into you."

"Oh, it's no problem. Here we are. Have a good day."

"You too," I stepped out of the elevator to see Bella already walking out of her apartment and locking the door.

I decided to sneak up on her; it was the perfect opportunity to test her reflexes and actually see her 'very accomplished' skills as an agent. Taking small, quiet steps, I crept up from behind, about to pounce, but never got the chance.
She didn't miss a beat; she immediately turned around with her weapon drawn, looking fierce and undeniably sexy.

Once she saw me, she lowered her gun, but didn't return it to her holster, "Do you want me to shoot you? Because all you have to do is ask,"

"And a good morning to you too sweetie." She started to raise her gun again as a threat, I laughed.

"Alright, alright. I'm finished, for now at least. How about this, breakfast on me?"

With that, she finally lowered her sig and returned it to her holster, "Now tell me again, why am I going with you to breakfast?"

"Because you're partner and you don't have a ride."

We got in the elevator and once again Chad, the bellboy was there.

"Sorry about last night, I did not mean to run into you."

"It's no problem, you're boyfriend explained everything."

Bella turned to face me, with raised eyebrows and a small smile tugging at her face.

We reached the lobby and headed to my car in silence, she broke it once I began driving, "So girlfriend huh?" I turned to see her smirking.

I groaned, "He assumed we were dating and I didn't feel like explaining the whole 'we're federal officers' story, so I just went along with it."

"You might as well have told him we were married." She relied, the sarcasm in her voice evident.

"Is that still bugging you? I mean haven't you ever gone undercover as a wife?"

"Well of course I have," she puffed, folding her arms over her chest," But not with someone I just might no less than twenty four hours ago."

"Well now you can say you have." I answered, pulling into the café that I was a regular at.

We walked into the café and I was greeted with the familiar smell of coffee and delicious pastries.

"Morning Ed," Mr. Gregory, the owner, greeted me."

"Morning sir. How are you this morning? Hope Mrs. Gregory is doing well."

"We're doing great, son." He smiled, and then turned his attention to Bella, "And who is this stunning young woman?"

Bella's sour mood instantly brightened, she stuck her over the counter and grinned, "Bella Swan, sir."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Bella, dear. I'm David Gregory," and at that moment, Mrs. Gregory walked in from the back," and this here, is my lovely wife, Rebecca Gregory."

"It is nice to meet you both. Your café is beautiful, it has a welcoming homey feeling."

Mrs. Gregory spoke up," Thank you dear, David and I have owned this little place for almost twenty years now."

"And hopefully twenty more." I added.

The elderly couple smiled at me, and Mrs. Gregory began fixing up my usual as Mr. Gregory asked for Bella's order.

"I will just take a tall cappuccino." I smirked, for which of course, didn't get past her.

"Something funny?"

"I guess who can't shake the whole Italian tradition." I was awarded with her elbowing me in my ribs.

The Gregory's asked Bella questions and she looked as if she was really enjoying herself. I made a note to bring her here more often.

After we were given our orders, I reached for my wallet when Bella stopped me,

"You will not pay for my order, I will take care of it."

"Isabella," I drawled, "let me pay for it and no body gets hurt."

"You do know that I'm carrying my sig as well." Her commented deflated me, but didn't stop me. I guess I never actually went out with a woman who also carried guns at their hips.

"No, no." Mr. Gregory interrupted, "It's on the house."

"No no," we both interjected, but he wasn't having it.

"Just promise us that we will be seeing more of her," Mrs. Gregory nodded towards Bella, who instantly began blushing red.

"Yep, she's a keeper," Mr. Gregory added; only fueling her blush.

"Oh honey, don't be bashful," Mrs. Gregory smiled, "Ed, never brings any woman here and it's good to finally see him with someone."

"We're only partners," I said, trying to ease some of Bella's embarrassment.

Bella began to tug on my hand, where her touch left this electrifying spark, "Well, we should be going. Thank you."

"Thank you," Bella managed to say before practically bolting out the door.

"You never know," Mrs. Gregory said before I walked out, "about the whole 'only partners' deal."

I smiled but then shook my head from any thoughts about any form of relationship with Bella, except a professional one.

The rest of the day went by smoothly, which was quite surprising since the first day for a new agent was always nerve-wrecking, awkward, and occasionally chaotic for the agent and sometimes their partner.

But Bella was like a chameleon, she fit right in, easily making conversation with other agents, and even managing to keep up with Emmett and Jasper.

Although I couldn't help but glance her way throughout the day as we worked from our desks. Carlisle declared that we wouldn't be doing any fieldwork since we were going on our undercover mission the next day, so we were stuck with desk duty.

After what was probably the thirtieth time Bella caught me starring, "Yes, Edward?"

"Nothing."

"Then explain to me why you have looked up at me thirty-three times?"

Damn, she had noticed and obviously had been counting.

"Well, I'm a federal agent, they trained me to notice things." Apparently my comment was voiced, and not just a thought.

Thankfully I was interrupted by a phone call, "Hello."

"Masen."

"Ah, Carlisle," I smiled.

"Director, Masen. Director." He complained.

"Well, what can I do for you?"

"My office in ten."

"Got it."

"What does the director want from you?" Bella asked, without taking her eyes of her screen as she typed away.

"I don't know. He wants me to go to his office in ten minutes."

"Am I supposed to go with you?"

"He didn't saw anything." I answered, before getting up from my desk. "I'm going to the men's room, then just head up this his office. I'm your ride home, so just wait for me okay?"

"Can I not just get a ride from someone else?"

I stopped in my tracks and walked back to her desk and leaned forward, so that my face was mere inches away from hers, "You do not go home with anyone else. Do I make myself clear?"

Anger flashed threw her eyes, "You do not give me orders, Edward. Do I make myself clear?" Her voice was threatening, but I stood my ground.

"You just got here and you don't know your way around the city. If anything happens to you and both our asses will be screwed."

She didn't reply, but only said, "You're going to keep the director waiting."

Isabella Swan

I was fuming.

Who the hell does he think he is? Telling me what I can and cannot do? Well he can shove his orders up his…

"Hello," a sexy, voice interrupted my raging thoughts.

I looked up and was greeted with an even sexier face. A dirty blond man, with a defined jaw line, and was dressed in black suit, black tie attire that seemed to be made for his body.

"We haven't met yet, but I'm James."

"Isabella Swan. Nice to meet you, James" I purred, as I watched him take my hand and place a kiss on it.

"The pleasure is all mine."

He sat at the corner of my desk and we began talking, getting to know each other quite well. He noticed me eyeing the clock ever so often and then asked me about it,

"I am waiting on Edward to come from the director's office. He's supposed to be taking me home."

"Well he could be there for another hour, you're not just going to wait for him are you?"
"I have no other choice," I replied, silently cursing Edward for the umpteenth time.

"Yes you do. I'll take you home," James offered.

"I am not so sure Edward would like it." I said tentatively, already imagining his reaction if he found out that I disobeyed him.

"He's your partner, not your mentor." James said, "Besides, I'm sure he wouldn't actually want you waiting here for the rest of the night. Here how about this, we go and grab something to eat and then I'll drive you home. There's no harm in that, is there?"

"I do not know…" Edward was already upset with me; I didn't want to fuel his anger.

"Come on, I know this great sushi place, my treat." James pleaded.

Before I knew it, I was grabbing my coat and getting into James' BMW, and sitting in his passenger seat as we speed down the street.

I hope Edward won't be too mad.

Edward Masen

After wrapping up the meeting Carlisle had arranged with the head of the other agencies, I was about to head out when Carlisle stopped me.

"How are things going with Bella? Are you both prepared for your operative tomorrow?"

"Things are going fine, and as far as the mission goes, I think we're ready."

We both began walking out of his office and stood in front of Angela's desk as he signed some papers she handed to him.

"Good, good. I'm glad you two are getting along. I don't need your stubbornness to blow this mission off, understood?"

"Yes, although, she may be a little pissed at me."

"What did you do?" Carlisle asked annoyed, putting his pen down and looking at me.

"Nothing really, really," I put my hands in front of me. "I just told her that she couldn't leave with anyone but me when she asked if she could leave early, since I was in the meeting."

"Oh, well. I guess that's not your worst." Carlisle joked as he resumed his paper signing. "She's not used to being bossed around, but I wouldn't worry about it. Go buy her some dinner and use those Masen charms of yours and you should be set."

"Um, sir," Angela interrupted, sounding embarrassed, "You should know that Bella left with James about an hour ago."

"What?" I growled.

Poor girl just fumbled with her computer, "It says that she clocked out at 8:30 and wrote the James was her going to be her ride."

Carlisle, sensing my anger, put his hand on my shoulder and calmly said, "It's not a problem; she will be safe with James. Just go to her place and have a talk with her, let her know that she can't just leave without you knowing her whereabouts and everything will be fine."

"I told her not to leave with anyone," I said, running my hand through my hair in frustration.

"Just go and talk."

I stormed off to my desk and grabbed my things and headed to the elevator.

Ten minutes later I was walking into her lobby and towards the main desk, "Have you seen Ms. Swan yet?"

The man behind the counter shook his head, "I'm sorry sir, but I don't believe she returned."

"Thank you." I said and taking the elevator and pulling my phone and calling her for the sixteenth time.

I checked my watch, it was almost 11 and she wasn't home yet.

The elevator reached her floor and I ran to her door and knocked a few times, I called once more and then heard it. She had left her phone at home, probably on the counter where it was still charging.

I wasn't in the mood to kimboslice through her door, so I just slid down on the floor and waited.

She sure was failing at being a wife; I'd give her that, and the mission hadn't even started yet.