A/N: So I know you are reading. Do you not like it? If you like it tell me, I want to know. I am totally off my schedule and will continue to update whenever I can. I have kid's home from school and so they take priority.

Thanks for reading and for the few reviews I have.

Chapter 22 Conquer and Divide

∞Agent Black∞

I can't for the life of me figure out why I let Edward and Bella go undercover. First off they were hardly trained to be adequate undercover agents and secondly every moment I would see Bella undercover she looked like crap. It never crossed my mind that she would be still in shock and suffering from PTSD. I was so pissed at myself because I would think that in my profession I would understand the significance of what she had been through. She just seemed to always be in check. She held herself up high and she never would complain about anything, but that was during her training. Now that I was seeing her actual out in the field in Las Vegas I noticed that her mask was starting to slip.

One thing for sure was that I was waiting for all of this to blow up and come unraveled at the seams. If Edward and Bella didn't pull themselves back together the FBI would have to yank them out of undercover and then put them straight into protective custody.

We all wanted this to pan out because we had been working on trying to capture one of the major kingpins in the United States. Aro had killed so many people and we knew it, but we were never able to directly point the finger at him because it seemed as though he was never the one to pull the trigger. It truly bothered me to the core that it seemed as though we were using the Newton's as bait. Yes, I do admit we were, to a certain extent, but we were also determined to get them out alive. It was hard because the only Newton we would actually see outside the hotel, let alone in the hotel was Mike. The only way we knew that Bree and Mrs. Newton were alive was from when Bella and Edward confirmed they were when we did a drop for them. However, they were afraid that Riley was no longer alive because he was nowhere to be seen.

I was determined beyond belief to take this sick man down. My only problem was that when I was on duty I was finding it hard to concentrate on my surroundings. I had never had that problem before, but I had to remind myself that I never had to watch a woman like Bella Swan before. I found myself constantly drawn to her and I focused on all the moves that she made; from the way she walked, bit her lip, ran her hand through her hair, to the way her eyes would light up when she was focused on the task at hand. The moment I saw her in the woods I knew she was going to be the death of me.

∞Bella/Izzy∞

It was true I had told Anthony that we had to give this entire messed up situation, Time. What was I thinking? I, myself, truly wanted this to be over too, but I knew I had to be strong and be his rock, to show him that we could do this. I just truly hoped that it would be all over soon. I am so sick of all the angst and drama that we had going on in our lives together. For a new couple to be starting out we should be doing things like going to the movies, taking walks on the beach and laughing. Oh how I missed laughing. We hadn't laughed the entire time we had been here in Las Vegas. By the looks of us you would think we had lost all our money playing blackjack.

It had been two days since the incident with the woman at the gentleman's club and Anthony was by far not okay. He would never look in me in the eyes when he would speak; which was very little. I could tell he was pulling away from me and to say it didn't bother me would be a lie. His beard was looking longer and out of control, much like his hair. He was really starting to remind me of Grizzly Adams.

I also noticed that the calls from Aro had ceased and I wondered what exactly had made Aro stop calling. I was happy in a way because it meant that Anthony was here with me instead of with Aro and James. He was safe with me and I knew I would protect him at all costs.

"So, Anthony, are you going to come with me today? I found out that there is a nice park you can go to not far from here to feed ducks and geese. I just thought maybe we could spend some quality time before Aro calls you again."

Anthony was sitting on the couch in just his black boxer briefs. I wasn't accustomed to him laying around in just his underwear, but I didn't complain because he was truly a site I wouldn't mind staring at all day, plus he had been out of it and showed no interest in wanting to take care of himself.

I was taken aback when he finally spoke. "Love!" he emphasized. "Don't you remember what I told you the other day?"

Crap. What was I suppose to remember? Right, he did not want me calling him Anthony anymore.

"Oh, right, I am sorry B-A-B-E," I reiterated clearly as I sounded out each letter. Then his head snapped into my direction. I had been standing in the doorway to the bedroom while I was trying to engage him in a conversation. Apparently it had worked.

"Thanks, but no I don't think I want to go out today," he said through clenched teeth.

He watched me closely as I walked up to him and leaned over the back of the couch. I leaned in closer and put my mouth on his ear. He shivered when I whispered.

"I have to meet up with Agent Black to disclose all the information you gave me the other day about what happened in the club." He flinched. I pulled my face around so I could look him in the eyes, but his were closed. Go figure. So I took it upon myself to help him snap out of slightly. We hadn't kissed for a long time and that was very rare for us. I leaned in and pressed my lips against his lightly at first, but then I pressed them harder on his. He didn't respond at first, but then he kissed me back. It was slow at first, but then it started to get more heated, more urgent. Next thing I knew he had pulled me away from the back of the couch and set me down on his lap. My hands cupped his bearded cheeks as he wrapped his arms around my waist. We stayed that way for who knows how long, but I knew I had to stop because I couldn't let it go any further in the state that he was in. Slowly, I pulled back and placed one last kiss at the tip of his nose.

"Sorry, I have to go," I whispered while I was trying to catch my breath.

After I paid the cab driver I walked across the grass at Sunset Park glancing around to make sure nobody was following me. I saw a sign pointing in the direction of where the pond and ducks were and then started walking up the hill. When the pond came into view I noticed that there were hardly any people around, just some mother's with their children. As I walked along the path by the pond I noticed Agent Black; he was sitting on a park bench with a loaf of bread in a bag. As I approached him he lifted his head and looked straight forward looking at the pond.

Without looking at me he spoke. "Izzy, have seat." He patted the seat next to him.

I didn't want to seem to obvious, just in case someone was actually watching us, so I sat down at the opposite end of the bench the furthest away from him. Then I opened the bag that I had gotten from Walgreens on the way over and pulled a small box of Cheerios, then placed it on the bench beside me.

I glanced over to him and noticed that he had been watching me while he absently minded threw bread to the ducks. He was making me feel uncomfortable with his staring.

Trying to break the awkward tension I decided to tease him. "Did you know it's bad to feed bread to the ducks?"

He laughed and then tore his gaze away from me. I was thankful to say the least.

"No, actually I didn't, but do you care to tell me why it's bad for them and how you obtained this knowledge?"

I smiled and sat back against the bench, stretching my legs out in front of me. "Well, when wild ducks are fed human food, especially bread or crackers, their organs become engorged and fatty, which can cause them to suffer from heart disease, liver problems and other health complications. Bread also has very few nutrients, and can get compacted in a bird's crop. Many rehabilitators see "bread-impacted crop" in sick and distressed park ducks." *

Agent Black stared in shock at me then he threw his head back in laughter. He then tried to contain himself, but failed miserably, which made me start to laugh.

"Okay…okay," he said trying to catch his breath. "So now can you please tell me where you learned this information; wise ole' encyclopedia?" I smile tightly.

"Well, it's kind of silly, but I had to do a research paper in my high school biology class on animals. At the time I remember seeing something on the new regarding waterfowl dying or being injured when there would be an oil spill. It hit me kind of hard because when I was a child I remember going with my parents to a place like this." I motioned with my hand out to the pond. "We fed the ducks, well all the waterfowl; bread. During my research I came across a website, Ducks Rescue Network*, and they talked about how to care for ducks and one of those tips stated how to never feed any waterfowl bread."

He shook his head, but had a smile on his face. "You know that just totally justifies why you are in this situation right now."

I raised my eyebrow at him, which made him smile wider. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you like to rescue to things, even if it isn't your fault that they are in a situation that you did not cause. You have a kind and giving heart," he said as he reached over and squeezed my hand.

I pulled it away from him and laid it on my leg. His gaze landed on my legs, which were bare considering the hot day and I was only wearing simple jean shorts. He was truly making me feel really uncomfortable. So I decided to start by talking business as I sat up and pulled my legs back to me trying to put them under the bench. My actions made him look at my face, thank goodness.

"Well, the reason why we are here is because I need to feel you in with what Anthony had gone through in the last couple of days. I believe you will want to hear this and hope that you will be able to solve this and I also hope that you will be able to finally pin this one on Aro." This statement seemed to snap him back into Agent mode.

I told him everything that Anthony had revealed to me and I even went as far into informing him of his behavior. I was so worried about him and I couldn't figure out what to do for him so I thought it would help to inform Agent Black on what was it that we were going through.

"You know what? From what I have been witnessing when I am on duty is that I think we need to pull you both out of there and put you somewhere safe. Somewhere where you don't have to be in so much stress and witness these horrible things."

I was taken aback. I had not expected this type of reaction. "Wait, no…"

He cut me off. "We are actually a week away from training some new FBI agents. So I think it might be a good idea to put them on the case, undercover somehow and then get you two out!"

"No you can't. We have already put so much time into this. If you take us out and put someone else in then you might as well pull the stupid damn trigger yourself on the Newton's and Alice!" He jumped and I knew I had gotten him to see it from my point of view.

He looked around and I knew that my voice was raised. I hoped that no one had heard me.

"Shhh! All right, I see your point. It's just that I care about you and don't want to see you hurt or hurt anymore than you already are." Whoa, I was silenced by his declaration. He cares about me. With everything else going on this was too much to take in.

I removed my gaze from him and looked out at the water. "You know I think I should go. I have been gone way too long and Anthony is going to start freaking out any minute if I don't get back." With the mention of that I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and texted him a message stating that I would be back in about forty-five minutes. I stood up from the bench and started walking away when I felt his hand on my wrist. It freaked me out and I quickly yanked it from his grasp.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. And I am also sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, but I can't help how I feel about you. I like you a lot and if we weren't in this messed up situation I would hope that you would be able to give me a chance."

I turned to face him. "I… I don't really know what to say. The only thing that I can tell you is that I love Edward." If I was going to declare my love for someone to someone else I knew I had to use his real name. "If we ever get out of this I plan to be with him."

"Okay, I can understand that, but if you ever change your mind I'll be here. Oh and here you forgot this." He stood up and handed me my bag. "What else is in there?"

"Oh, uh, it's hair dye." He cocked his eyebrows at me. "My roots are starting to show."

Before leaving he assures me that they will be investigating the woman's death and that they will go to the dump to try and retrieve her body. It makes me want to throw up and I hope that they will for sure find her body so that she will be laid to rest in a proper service and burial ground.

∞Edward/Anthony∞

"Have the team ready," I say into my FBI issued cell phone while walking through the M&M Factory. I thought I would get Izzy some chocolate's and apologize for me being so distant.

"The timing is wrong, Anthony," Agent Clearwater states.

"What do you mean 'the timing is wrong'? We need to take him down. He's having a meeting with everyone next week." I tried to keep my tone hushed since I was in a public place.

"We have to hold off for a little while longer. We just lost a couple of guys last week and we are almost done training a couple more to bring them in. We need numbers if we are going to take all of them down."

I know she's right, but I am so done with being here and I want out so I can get my life back together with Bella.

"Okay, I understand. They are supposed to be here for a week. How soon can you have the new guys ready?"

"Since it's become more urgent than I thought I will push them harder and they will be done in a few days. They are both proving to be extremely strong and I know that they will be able to handle what I dish out to them, plus I know for a fact that they are anxious to get out there and help any way they can."

I feel a little comforted knowing that there are more determined people that want to take down Aro and his entire business.

We discuss and finalize that she will be in touch with me when the new guys are ready then we will discuss our strategy on getting everyone out and taking the Mob Family down.

While in the M&M Factory I grab a bag and fill it with M&M's. Blue because it's my favorite color on her. Brown because it reminds me of her chocolate eyes without her contacts. Then green because I know that she loves my green eyes without my contacts. I pay for the outrageously over-priced M&M's and make my way to the hotel.

On the way I am hoping that Izzy had a good talk with Agent Black. I also hoped that he hadn't upset her in any way. I knew by just the way I would catch him looking at her that he liked her, maybe a little too much, but there was nothing I could do about it since I was undercover.

By the time I reach the suite it was dark outside. I basically had been gone all day and knew that she had probably gotten back hours ago since I had received her text stating when she was to return.

When I walked in all the lights were out, but the room was dimly lit with candles all over the room. I smiled knowing she was trying to get me into a better mood. I couldn't see her, so I made my way to the bedroom. She wasn't there, so I went toward the bathroom. It was slightly ajar so I slowly opened it. I caught her standing in front of the mirror like I had done many times before. She was standing there in a robe and had bare feet. I watched as her toes tapped on the tiled floor. In her hand was a bottle of some odd looking liquid and she was squeezing it onto her scalp. She was cute and she was concentrating really hard as she bit her lip. I love her.

"What exactly do you think you're doing?" She jumped and I started to laugh.

"Babe, you can't do that anymore. My poor heart is going to give out, but I do have to say I am happy to hear you laughing again. I missed it," she said smiling as she held her left hand to her chest.

"Me too, but you still didn't answer my question," I said while slowly approaching her.

"My roots were starting to show, so I had to touch them up," she said in a hushed tone.

"And you think it's wise to do that standing there only in a towel? Looking rather cute may I add?"

She held up a finger to me and then flung her hair over wrapping it up in a towel. I was standing in front of her then and decided to tease her. I undid the tie of her robe, pushed it off of her shoulders and let it pool to the floor.

What I saw shocked me because I didn't expect it. There she stood in a silky blue wrap dress. She was gorgeous and I knew she had picked it out because she knew it was my favorite color on her. I was hindered speechless.

"Sorry, is it not what you were hoping for?" she asked sadly.

I looked up at her and noticed that her eyes were brown indicating that she was not wearing her contacts. She then reached behind me and brought her glasses to her face. I didn't answer her; instead I leaned in and kissed her hard. I missed her soft touch. I pulled back and smiled at her then kissed her forehead.

She looked down at my hands then back to my face. "What's in the bag?"

I smiled. "M&M's. What's up with the candles?"

She smiled. "Candlelit dinner."

We were happy like this.

I tried to lighten it up a little because I was getting tired of all the angst and drama, but things will get pretty intense next chapter. Hmmm! Who could be the new FBI Agents?

Truly the M&M Factory is way expensive.

Ducks Rescue Network www . duckrescuenetwork . org/duck_care . html