Name: MIRAGE
Author: Sdfreeze
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer
This story was last published on 6/18/10.
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Chapter: 6
Lick This
I was lying on the back seat as Emmett drove and Rosalie sang along with the radio. I found it funny that gorgeous Rose was the agent, and huge, muscle bound Emmett was just along for the ride. I didn't even bother asking where we were going. I had my arm over my eyes trying not to cry as my thoughts centered on Edward.
They took turns driving and we drove straight through the night. I was shocked when they stopped for gas at a tiny station deep in the Appalachian mountains. It was much better than being surrounded by water, but the thought of being snowed in didn't sound too appealing either.
I didn't complain and used the bathroom before grabbing a supply of Snicker bars. I paid and noticed a map on the wall. We were in West Virginia and I wondered how long I would have to stay there.
"You look like you are far from home," the woman behind the counter said. She had a strong accent and it made me smile.
"My dad hunts and fishes here often, it is almost my second home," I easily lied.
"Well, welcome home," she smiled and the warmth of her sentiment made me feel safe. I liked this place and hoped we would be staying close by.
She handed me my bag of Snicker's and I smiled at her in response.
Emmett walked in the store and said, "Hi, I was afixin' about to get allovers," he said as I stared in confusion.
"Ah, a local boy," the woman behind the counter said.
"Born on the wrong side of the blanket," he said and she gave him a pitiful look.
"I'll leave you two to speak whatever language you're speaking," I said with a laugh and went outside. I walked up to the car where Rosalie was stretching.
"Is Emmett from the mountains?"
"Shit, is he speaking hillbilly again?" she said with disgust.
"Don't make fun, I really like these people," I told her as I got in the car.
"Does that mean you won't be donning snow shoes and hiking home?"
"I told you I would behave," I said as I glared at her. "Want a Snickers?"
"I don't eat that crap," she said but her eyes watched me unwrap the chocolaty goodness.
"That' right," I laughed, "your bitchiness stems from hunger." I meant to tease her, but the thought made me miss Edward, and I had to look away so I wouldn't cry.
Emmett came out of the station and got in the drivers seat. "I told her I was cuttin' stills so I wouldn't be churched, now I'm her hero," he laughed.
"I don't know what you said, but it sounds kinky," I laughed with him as Rose rolled her eyes.
We wound deep into the mountains and finally pulled onto an obscure road which led to a large cabin. It was rustic but very roomy and comfortable. I walked onto the back deck and saw a large lake which sent a shudder running through me.
I finally went to my room and began unpacking my bag. I wasn't quite sure where we were going and didn't bring really warm clothes. I would have to talk to Rosalie about making a shopping trip. I climbed onto the large, lumpy, feather stuffed bed, and sunk into the soft billows as I sighed loudly. This was so much better than the island.
"This is paradise," I said out loud.
"I thought you would like it," a voice came from the doorway.
I snapped my head up to see Edward standing there grinning at me. I screamed and ran for him but he put up his hand to stop me. "Don't hit my scar," he pleaded.
I grabbed his hands and pulled him into the room. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm under protection, they haven't found James or Victoria yet."
"Rose is protecting you, too?" I asked.
"Nope, Jasper."
"He's here?"
"Alice, too," he informed me.
"What about Lauren?" I asked, feeling my euphoria wane a bit.
"Seems she found a better guy and dumped me," he chuckled.
"As in another agent?" I asked.
He raised his finger to his lips and gestured to be quiet. I laughed and hugged him tightly, "I have to admit I hope James and Victoria stay hidden for a very long time."
"You want to end up talking like Emmett?" he laughed.
"I love it, these people are real, they are the backbone of America and seemed unaffected by time," I told him.
"So you're good with the outhouse?" he asked.
"What?" I said in shock causing him to break into laughter. I shook my head and couldn't believe I fell for his joke. Edward would NEVER use an outhouse.
"Let me see your scar," I said as I pulled his shirt up. I saw the small wound and look at him in confusion.
"It was worse than it looks," he said to defend his pride.
"That is it? You had major surgery and that is all you have?"
"They used the bullet site for the laparoscopic incision. I have another incision in my bellybutton," he said pointing to the miniscule scar there. "I'm still sore from cutting through abdominal muscle."
"My scars are huge," I said in anger as I began unbuttoning my jeans to show him my thigh. "Look at that, and all they did was remove the bullet."
I looked up to see Edward staring, but not at my thigh. I waited for his eyes to raise to mine and I smiled at him, "So, are you okay to….you know?"
"I think so, if you are very careful, and you do all the work," he smiled.
"I don't mine," I said as I watched him lick his lips. He put his hands on my waist as I stood with my jeans around my ankles.
"At least shut the door," Alice said as she walked in to find us lusting over each other.
"We were just looking at our scars," I said in embarrassment.
"I don't think that is the right term, but whatever," she giggled as I pulled my jeans back up. She came over to give me a hug and then smacked me on the butt. "Don't run off again, you have no idea what I had to put up with from Rose and Jaz."
"I'm staying put," I promised her.
"I heard you got to talk to your father," she said with a smile.
Edward's mouth fell open in shock. "How did that happen?"
"He called Rose when she was in my room. I figure if they take my father and boyfriend away, they owe me a call or two."
"I think paying for an extended vacation for us all should more than make up for it," Edward laughed and then saw my face. "No, I didn't mean I'm more important than your father," he said trying to back peddle.
"I admit I'm a daddy's girl, but if I had to be stranded with one or the other, I'm glad it is you," I said and kissed him roughly.
When I pulled away he took a deep breath, "You have to be careful with me," he said and held his stomach.
"You are such a little girl," I teased.
"Alice, get out," he said as he stared into my eyes.
She bounced out of the room and yelled back, "Dinner in an hour."
"Bring it to our bed," I yelled after her.
"After our swim in the lake," he yelled louder.
"Never mind, we'll show up at the table," I yelled as I laughed. "You win."
"I would throw you onto the bed, but I don't want you to see me cry," he admitted.
I carefully helped him remove his shirt and began taking off his jeans as he began kicking off his shoes. He took my arm and looked at the red scar and kissed it gently making his way around to the back exit site. I pulled him to the bed and helped him gently climb into the lumpy comfort.
"Wow, this is great," he smiled.
"Me or the bed?" I questioned.
"You on the bed," he said raising his eyebrows.
I straddled over him and his hand carefully touched the scar on my thigh. "I'm so sorry, Bella. I tried to cover you," he said softly.
"They knew where to shoot. They didn't even try to hit our central bodies. They knew you would be wearing a vest and assumed I would be too."
"How did you get so smart?" he laughed.
"I spent weeks trying to heal, I had plenty of time to think," I told him.
"How did your mom take your leaving?"
"She was ready for me to move on. She has a short attention span," I laughed.
He ran his hands up my thighs to my hips and winked, "I have a pretty short attention span too, so get to work."
I was so worried about hurting him and had to keep pushing him back down to let me do all the work. I finally threatened to tie him to the bed posts and his eyes really lit up. It was heaven being with him again and I tried not to think about the little voice in the back of my head telling me I was only going to end up hurt.
I decided to use our time together to try and get him to forget about his job and find new employment. I knew I would have my work cut out for me, since Jasper and Rose were here to counter any effect I had, but I was willing to give it a sporting chance.
I helped him from the bed and into a shower before we left the room. He was moving just a bit faster and had a smile plastered to his face. "I'm beginning to believe Lauren really wasn't taking care of your needs," I teased him under the spray.
His face turned serious and he gave me a angry stare, "I wouldn't lie to you about that, Bella."
"So you never sleep with any of the women?" I asked.
"Tanya was the only one, and that was because I had dated her before and I was helping my father."
"Did you still work while married to her?"
"Yes, but on very low key assignments, nothing visual like Lauren."
"And none of the women try to seduce you?" I asked incredulously.
"They are usually in some type of crisis and seducing me is not in the forefront of their minds," he laughed.
"I was in crisis and I thought about it constantly, I laughed.
"You did?" he smiled.
"Until you threw me in the deep water, then I only wanted to kill you," I said seriously.
He pulled me against him and began kissing me softly on my neck as I tried to wash my hair. If the shampoo wasn't stinging my eyes I would have let him continue forever. We finally dried off and got dressed before I let Edward brush my hair.
He was gentle and took his time as I sat with my eyes shut in total bliss. When we finally made our way out to the kitchen everyone was already sitting around the table. I helped Edward into his chair and sat next to him, to see everyone staring at me and trying not to laugh.
"What's so funny?" I asked, as they all roared with laughter.
I looked at Edward's sheepish face in confusion.
"You said you wanted to kill me," he said in defense.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," I told him in irritation.
"In the shower you told me you wanted to kill me," he repeated. I thought hard about what he could possibly mean, and then remember the kisses on the neck.
I jumped from the table, and ran to the small mirror by the front door, to see a huge, blood red mark on my neck.
I walked towards him in rage and he held onto the table to stand, "Now, Bella, calm down. It was only a joke," he said while covering his genitals with his hands.
I stuck my finger in my mouth, covering it with my saliva, and stuck it right in the middle of his lasagna. "If you don't eat that entire serving, you have to find another place to sleep," I threatened, totally serious.
He stared at the square portion in disgust and bit on his lip, so I picked up his wine glass and licked all around the rim, "And now you have to drink all the wine, too," I added.
"Okay, stop, what if I pay you money instead," he offered.
I picked up his garlic bread and was just about to lick across the surface when he yelled, "enough, I'll eat the lasagna and drink the wine, please stop."
The others began to cheer as we both sat down. I pouted over my Cullen special and Edward struggled to eat his meal.
Deal
The one thing nobody can prepare you for is getting along with five people who have known each other since college. They had inside jokes that drove me crazy, they talked about people I didn't know and bored me to death, but they also knew how to push each other's buttons, and that scared me.
I walked into the kitchen one morning and Jasper said, "Who put my coffee cup in the drawer?"
I shrugged and mumbled, "Does it matter?"
"Hell yeah it matters, if you did it I know it was an honest mistake, if anyone else did it then I'm going to kick someone's ass."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because….never mind; just see if you can find out who did it," he said in a way that worried me.
I went back to the bedroom and told Edward of the conversation with Jasper. "You didn't tell him did you," he asked with worried eyes.
"I don't know who did it and I don't know why it would matter," I said in confusion.
All of the sudden, a loud commotion happened in the other room that sent us running in to see what was going on. Emmett and Jasper were on the ground in what appeared to be a huge fight. Rose and Alice were screaming at them both and I looked at Edward in fear.
"Edward, make them stop," Alice screamed.
Edward tried to get between the two cussing, wrestling men and yelled out in pain. He backed up to the wall and the hand on his stomach was covered in blood. I screamed in horror and ran over to help him as he slid down the floor.
He reached out with wide eyes and ran his bloody hand down my face and they all began to laugh. I looked at them with a stunned expression and Emmett yelled 'psyche'. I was beyond mad, and I couldn't believe Edward would do something so mean to me.
I locked myself in the bedroom and refused to come out. Rosalie finally had to pick the lock to let Edward in.
"I'm sorry Bella; we get bored and play stupid jokes, don't be mad at me."
"You guys make me feel like an outsider," I cried. "It isn't so bad when it is the others, but when you do it, I don't know why, but it really hurts."
"I didn't look at it that way. I won't do it again," he promised.
"I can't forgive you Edward; I want to go to where my father is hidden. I don't want to be with you anymore," I said and looked down so I wouldn't have to look at his sad eyes.
"Bella," he said in shock, "I'm sorry, let me make it up to you, don't leave me, please."
"Ha," I yelled as I raised my head. "It doesn't feel so good to be teased, does it?"
His face slowly pulled into a huge smile and he shook his head in shock. "You're good," he laughed.
"Don't mess with me Edward Cullen," I threatened.
"Will you marry me?" he asked.
"Nice try," I laughed. "You need to work on your routine."
"This is no routine, I'm being serious," he said to my face.
I pushed him with my hands and tried to walk around him but he grabbed my arm and spun me around. "I'm not kidding, Bella. I am asking you a question," he pushed.
"Edward," I said in fear. "You're an agent."
"What does that mean?"
"Don't do this," I begged him.
"Wait, we need to talk about this. I want to marry you, are you saying you will never marry me if I'm an agent?"
"It isn't that you are an agent, it is what kind of agent you are," I said sadly.
"So when I kill James, and we return to regular life, I lose you?"
I looked at him in confusion and things began to sink into my head. I was so angry at myself for not seeing it sooner. "You're just here to heal, so you can go after James."
He blinked a couple of times and I could tell he was thinking about denying it, but changed his mind. "He shot you," he said in anger.
"Do you know where he is?" I asked him pointedly.
He tightened his jaw and refused to answer. I walked around him and yelled for Jasper. Edward stayed in the room and watched me from where he stood.
Jasper looked at my face and smiled, "It was just a joke," he assured me.
"Did you know Edward is going after James?"
Jasper looked stunned and turned to look at Edward. "Don't be stupid," he said calmly.
Edward only shook his head.
"You'll be fired," Jasper said causing Rose to walk out of her room.
"What's going on?" she asked and looked at my face.
"Edward's going freelance," Jasper said in a whisper.
"Like hell you are," Rose yelled.
Edward didn't move a muscle and stared at my face.
"You won't quit for me, but you'll kill for me?" I asked him in tears.
"I won't let them get away with this," he said to me, still ignoring Jasper and Rose.
I shook my head as I said, "They already ruined us, by making you choose."
"Bella, I went through hell because of that family, I want my revenge" he admitted.
"How do I get mine?" I cried. "How do I make them pay for turning you into a murderer and making me watch you fall apart because of losing everything?"
"You can't do this Edward," Jasper said.
"You didn't have to see Alice get shot," Edward screamed at him. "Don't you stand there and judge me, when you don't know how it feels."
"Then let us go after him, the right way," Rose said.
"Why will you lose your job for James, but not walk away for me?" I asked him as my voice got louder and louder.
"This is something you don't understand, Bella, it is a male thing," he said in Rose's presence.
"If you weren't injured I would kick your ass right now," she said in a calm that was terrifying.
"What if it was Emmett"? Edward asked her.
"I would do my job and then sit in court everyday and laugh as the dirt bag squirmed. I wouldn't withhold information and go after him just for revenge. You are too good of an agent, Edward."
She turned to face me and said, "Grow up, Bella, men work with women everyday in today's world. You think he will be more faithful in an office building with a sexy secretary? You either trust him or you don't."
"Where is he?" Jasper asked Edward.
"Let's do this together," Edward offered. "You, me, and Rose, let's go get him."
The all looked at each other and I spoke up, "You have jobs already. Rose is protecting me and you are protecting Edward, Jasper," I reminded him.
"We can do this," Edward said, totally ignoring me.
"Then we all go," I screamed at them. "It is all six of us, or nobody."
"I like it," Emmett smiled.
"We would need a fool proof plan, we can't walk in there with three civilians without knowing it is going to work," Jasper said forcefully.
"Mirage," Edward smiled.
Rose looked at him and began to smile, "Mirage would work," she said.
"What does that mean?" I asked in confusion.
"We show them what they want, but it is not really there, they can't resist coming after the thing they want the most. They come right to us," Jasper explained.
"What do they want?" I asked nervously.
Everyone answered at the same time, "Charlie."
"You guys are freaking me out, what are you talking about?" I demanded.
Edward was excited and pacing back and forth. "I'm his height and Alice can get me a wig and mustache. We let it leak that we're moving him and just sit back and wait," he smiled.
"We need to contain a front and back and give you an escape route if something goes wrong," Rose thought aloud.
Emmett clapped his hands together and hollered into the air. "I know the perfect place. It is only accessible by a narrow dirt road and the place is loaded with underground caverns, some of the entrances are a couple of feet wide, you have to crawl through them, but they wind back up to the surface."
"Are there any structures around?" Edward asked.
"Yeah, my granddaddy's cabin," Emmett laughed.
"I didn't know your family had a cabin?" Rose said in anger.
"It is a cabin for guys to make moonshine, not a place to vacation, babe."
"Wait, wait, wait," I yelled. "Explain this to me."
"Okay, we let it leak to the Denali's that Charlie is being moved to a cabin in Tennessee." Rose explained. "We use Edward as bait, by dressing him up as Charlie and making sure they catch a glimpse of him. We head to the hills and wait for James to show up. We cut off the road behind him and just wait for him to walk through the door and right into our hands."
"What if he isn't alone?"
"It doesn't matter; we can just wait them out if we have to," Jasper said.
I looked at Edward and he wouldn't look at me. "Are you capturing him or killing him?" I asked.
He stood perfectly still, so I pushed further, "What if Tanya is with him, are you going to kill her?"
He turned away from me so I said, "And then do you go after her father, her other family members? When will it be enough, Edward?"
"I am not doing this unless we all agree on what is going down," Alice said softly. "And I will call the bureau if you can't decide and tell them what you are all discussing."
Everyone got very quiet and began to really think about what they were planning. It wouldn't be easy and someone could easily get hurt. Emmett was a big, fast guy, but he wasn't trained like Rose was. Jasper and Edward had the disadvantage of having small women to worry about.
Alice could fight the way Rose and Jasper taught her, but she had never actually used the skills to save her life. She could easily freeze and become a target. I had nothing to offer, accept believability. The Denali's would believe Charlie was moving to where I was being hidden.
I walked over to wrap my arms around Edward's waist. I wasn't afraid for me, but I was terrified for him. I didn't think they would kill him or even hurt him. I was scared for his soul. He wanted revenge and it was clouding his rational thinking.
"Edward," I said softly. "I am begging you, for us, for me, let go of the revenge."
He turned and pulled me closer to him. I laid my head on his chest and he kissed the top of my head. "If I do, will you marry me?" he asked.
"Yes, I will marry you, if you promise to bring James in and not kill him."
"Can I remain an agent?" he asked timidly.
"Can I eat in the bed?" I countered, wondering just how much he was willing to give in this negotiation.
"Will you never spit in my food again?" he asked.
"I didn't spit in your food, you get more of my saliva by kissing me; will you grow a pair already."
"Okay, final offer, I let James live, you marry me, I keep my job, you eat in the bed, you learn to swim, and I adore you for the rest of my life."
"Okay, my final counter offer, James lives, I marry you. You stay an agent, just no more movie stars. You refuse to let me eat in the bed, and I refuse to learn to swim."
He looked at me for a moment and finally extended his hand, "Deal."
I shook his hand and he pulled me harshly against him, "Ow," he winced.
I grabbed his ass cheeks and said, "Just let me do all the work."
"I love you," he said with a huge grin.
"You realize I won't be able to have sex with you after you dress up as my father," I smiled.
Edward looked over at the table where the others were strategizing. "Work it into the plan that Bella remains blindfolded," he instructed them
I stared into his eyes as he laughed down at me. "Are we really engaged?" I asked him.
"We shook on it," he said as he narrowed his eyes.
"I love you, but can we make it more official?"
"What did you have in mind?"
I took his hand and pulled him into the bedroom. He ran his fingers through my hair and took a deep breath. "I've never been this happy," he moaned.
I felt my tears building and pulled his mouth to mine. "I can't believe you are mine," I said between kisses.
"Forever," he promised, but a tiny section of my heart was not convinced. I forced myself to ignore the feeling and pulled him to the bed.
Oh Baby
Edward began working out at a frightening pace. I was so worried about what he was actually planning and not what he admitted to planning. A friend of James' was in Statesville Prison and an agent was working as a guard there. Jasper set things in motion by having the agent pass some information about the moving of Charlie to the snitch.
I helped Alice collect clothing that would make Edward look like Charlie. The wig was hysterical and from the back I honestly thought Edward could be my father. It was comforting and upsetting at the same time.
Rose and Emmett took off for a few days to get aerial maps and check out the cabin and caverns. It was exciting to be part of the planning, but it seemed unreal, like I was talking about a movie. Edward came in from a run and I followed him to the shower. I sat on the floor and watched him through the open shower door.
"Do you miss swimming?" I asked him.
He smiled and shrugged, "I think I need to learn to do something different, so I can do it with you."
"Are you nervous?" I asked hoping he didn't see my own nerves.
"No, this is pretty standard to what we usually do," he admitted.
I only nodded, knowing full well he was leaving part of the details out on purpose.
"Do you think he will come alone?" I pressed.
"No, James is a coward, he will never walk in somewhere first."
"Do you think we have enough people?"
"Get in," he said and held out his hand for mine. I took off my clothes and he pulled me against him tightly. He smiled softly and I leaned in to kiss him gently.
"I could do this whole thing alone, six people are more than enough," he assured me.
"Can I stay with you through the whole thing?" I asked. "I don't want you to pawn me off on Rose or Alice."
He put his hand on my head and held it to his chest before saying, "We're a team, you and me." I felt like he didn't want me to see his face, so I wouldn't know he was lying, but I already knew.
"I can't lose you, Edward," I began to cry.
"I feel the same way," he whispered.
We began gently rocking back and forth, not escalating our touching, but finding reassurance in each other's contact.
When we had dressed and came out to make some food Rose and Emmett were back. Papers were lying all over the table and only Jasper and Edward seemed to be able to read them correctly. Emmett was tracing different paths and suitable caverns.
"Okay," Edward began, "As Charlie I'll use this trail, and Jasper will be my escort. Rose and Bella will be waiting in the cabin. Both step outside when I reach this spot," he circled an area on the map. "Bella will hug me and bring me inside. We will exit here and Rose and Jaz exit here."
"Jaz is going to have to really book," Emmett said pointing to a spot. "There is an incline here and he needs to be on the other side before we take any action."
"I have to be able to make it through the cavern," Edward pointing out.
"No problem, it winds around and lets you out right where you need to be. Rose and I cleared debris, but it's a forest, things will naturally fall so you will have to watch your noise."
"I'll have tossers," Edward said.
"What's that," I asked.
"You toss things to make noise come from different directions."
I nodded and felt stupid for asking.
"Alice will block the trail here and here. She will have an automatic deflator," Emmett said, causing Edward to turn to me. "It will deflate the tire on her car in case someone becomes suspicious."
Emmett continued, "I'll keep in touch with a few of the good ole boys who run stills up there. They will know if anyone new is around. I'll spread the word about an undercover agent. It will spread like wildfire."
Everyone stared at the map, each one thinking through all the possible problems. I looked up and asked, "So once you get them circled what happens?"
They glanced at each other and I got very worried. "We give them their options," Rose said flatly.
"Which are what?" I pushed.
"Give up and walk out peacefully, or we go get them," she shrugged.
"What happened to waiting them out?" I asked in panic.
"Yeah, we stretch it out. No food, no water, light up the area, but eventually you have to make a move," Jasper explained.
I watched Edward's jaw tighten so I spoke up, "So nobody runs in with guns blazing?"
"You watch too much T.V.," Emmett laughed.
"Really? Because I remember being shot at twice, and now my man wants revenge, so don't treat me like I'm stupid," I said as tears began to fall.
Edward hugged me and Alice wiped her own tears. "It is hard for me and Bella," Alice offered. "You guys look at the plan and the results, Bella and I look at the men we love being in danger."
"You think I don't worry about Emmett?" Rose asked offended.
We all turned to look at the massive man and Alice began to laugh. "He's a huge target, but I doubt anything can penetrate those muscles."
"He's not professionally trained," Rose pointed out.
"That's not what I heard," Edward laughed causing Emmett to smack his arm.
"Did you get the clothes?" Jasper asked Rose. She grabbed a duffle bag and pulled out various articles of camouflage. Then she handed me a bright pink sweater and some grey sweat pants.
"Bella, you wear these over the camouflage; we want them seeing you from a mile away. Once you walk inside the cabin strip down to the other stuff. Edward, we're having you go dark, and be sure and put the Charlie stuff in a bag and take it with you."
"What do you mean he's going dark?" I asked.
"He'll wear all black, we want him to be stealth," she explained.
"Why?" I asked, trying to sound casual but really screaming on the inside.
"The rest of us will need to blend in with the tree line; we want someone able to move around without worrying about trying to blend. Think of him as a shadow," she suggested.
I stared at his face, which showed no emotion at all, hoping to see if he had something else planned. Jasper and Rose didn't seem worried, so I tried to calm myself down.
Jasper looked directly at Edward and asked, "Do you think we'll want percussions?"
"Absolutely not, we set one off and the entire mountain will clear thinking the feds are around."
"What about a sniper?" Jasper asked.
"We need to be close," Edward mused, "Emmett, are you a good shot?"
"We need his muscle," Rose interjected.
"Guys," Alice said softly, "Um…I was on the archery team, remember."
"I love it," Emmett laughed loudly. "Tiny Alice… is sending in flaming arrows."
"It is more important you cut off the escape routes. If its clear then you can come in close to get in range," Jasper said as he put his arm around her.
"I think it's foolproof," Rose offered.
"It has to be, or we are all going to Leavenworth," Jasper sighed.
They began cleaning everything off the table and we decided to have a last supper together before heading out in the morning. The guys fired up the grill and the girls made salad and dessert.
I really wanted something to drink but they wouldn't allow it, wanting to keep everyone sober and sharp. Emmett put on some loud music and it began to feel like a party.
We all sat down to dinner and Edward held out his hands. I reached up and took one and we slowly moved around the table and joined together. "The most important people in my life are around this table," Edward said before getting choked up.
"There aren't any two agents I would trust more with my life," Rose added.
"We're all in this together," Jasper said calmly, "We stick to the plan and nobody tries to be a hero."
I noticed how he squeezed Edward's hand when he spoke. My heart was racing and I tried to smile at the group but I burst into tears instead. "I'm sorry," I sobbed, making them all start laughing.
"What an amateur," Rose teased.
We ate and chatted about silly unimportant stuff and after dinner we cleaned up and everyone began to get quiet and contemplative. I wouldn't let Edward out of my sight and followed him everywhere. He headed to our bedroom and I matched him step for step until he turned around and said, "Bella, I need to piss, are you really going to follow me into the bathroom?"
"No," I grumbled, "but can I stand by the door?"
He looked at the toilet and then back at me, "I won't be able to get a stream if I know you are standing by the door."
"Are you serious?" I laughed.
"Just go sit on the bed," he said in irritation.
I turned and stomped off as I laughed. As soon as the door shut I yelled, "I'm right by the door."
It swung open and he saw me still on the bed and glared at me. I laughed loudly and fell back onto the pillows. My big, tough, secret agent was such a freak and I loved him in spite of it.
I heard him finally washing his hands and I scooted over in the bed for him to join me. He walked out in just his boxers and turned off the light before coming to bed. He lay on his side and smiled at me, so I reached out and put my hand on his neck and pulled him close.
"Edward, promise me you won't do anything reckless," I begged.
"I promise not to do anything reckless," he easily repeated.
"Now make me believe it," I said as I stared into his eyes. He leaned over slowly and just barely touched his lips to mine. When I tried to deepen the kiss he pulled back, just keeping a ghost of a feeling on my mouth. He moved to my cheek and then over my eyes, causing me to moan from the amazing sensation.
His mouth finally came to my ear and he whispered, "Everything I do is for you."
I gasped as his tongue gently moved across my jaw and found its way to my mouth. I let him take over all my senses. I was saturated with a consuming fire. I couldn't form a coherent word and began to let my hands speak for me. When we cried out together in passion I held onto him so tightly, but my intuition, the gut response I had learn to trust, rang with alarm.
I could hear his gentle snoring but I couldn't find sleep. I had to plan for every contingency to keep Edward alive. I knew my only hope was to remain right with him. He would never put me in danger so I had to make sure he was never more than a few inches from me.
I snuggled up to his back and wrapped my arms around him. I saw a light come on in the other room and quietly got out of bed and listened at the door. "Here's some water, babe," Emmett was saying softly. "Please don't cry."
I felt hopelessness creeping into my soul. If Rosalie was worried enough to cry, my confidence in the entire plan just took a nosedive.
"I don't want to hurt our baby," I heard her cry against his chest.
"You won't, you're a great agent, and you don't take chances," he said to reassure her.
"I'm so worried about Edward," she said softly, having no idea I was listening at the door.
"You take care of yourself, Edward's a big boy, and he knows what he is doing."
"He's not thinking straight right now, I've never seen him so in love," she sighed.
"What choice do we have," Emmett said, "If we let him go it alone, he's dead."
"I can't protect myself and keep him in line," she said angrily.
"You take care of our child," Emmett emphasized.
They returned to their bedroom and I walked over to look at Edward as he slept peacefully. He was so beautiful and I ran my fingers through his hair. I had a sickening feeling my time with him was close to being over.