Disclaimer: Last time I checked, it wasn't mine. Don't think that's changed.

A/N: I never intended for my story to have so much drama. Lol. I was going to write a nice little love story with a wee bit of drama (about this much *holding my thumb and index finger a millimeter apart*). Apparently, I can't do it. I just can't right a love-fest. *sighs* I blame all the crime shows and reality TV that I watch. Oh, well. What's life without a bit of drama?

I'd also like to thank a reader for pointing out an error that I completely overlooked. Way back in Chapter 4 (if you remember that far back) I had said Rosalie and Jasper were twins. They're not. In my original plot they were, and I'd totally forgotten that was even in there. So for the record, Rosalie and Jasper are not related. So, a big thanks to the reader who pointed that out to me. It's been corrected. As always, a huge thanks to all of you out there. My readers, reviewers, and lurkers. Alright gang, let's found out what Mark has to say.

Design For Life

"Tattoo the pristine flesh
What is permanent anyway?
This ink only lasts 'til the grave,
Skin and ideas decompose
That which we did compose."

~Corri Alius

BPOV

I was a nervous wreck by the time that Mark rang the doorbell. I'd had a shitty ass day dealing with Jane and her bullshit. I'd talked to Seth about her, and he told me that he'd talk to her. Jake, on the other hand, seemed to really like her. I just had a niggling suspicion that she was up to no good.

Edward got up to open and the door and tension filled the room when Mark stepped in. I offered him something to drink but he shook his head and took a seat on the recliner. Edward sat down next to me, and immediately I grasped his hand. Mark pulled out a file and a notebook, telling me that he had to ask me some questions. I couldn't imagine what help I would be, but agreed. I'd pretty much told Mark everything I had known.

"We've learned that Laurent was heavily into drugs. Were you aware of his drug problem?"

I shook my head. "I never knew him to do drugs, with the exception of weed once in a while. It wasn't until he turned up here after New York that I suspected he was on drugs."

Mark gave a nod as he wrote down what I had said.

"According to the M.E., Laurent had been using for quite some time. He had scars between his toes that indicated he'd been shooting up for years."

I was shocked. Truly shocked.

"So, what you're saying is that Laurent was using the whole time we were together?"

"Maybe not the whole time, but it looks like he'd been using for at least two years, and running drugs for just as long."

I was flabbergasted. "I—I had no idea. I didn't. I swear."

Mark gave me a reassuring smile. "I know, Bella. The problem it seems, is that Laurent owes money to some very dangerous people."

My thoughts were running wild. Did he owe money to the mob? Was his murder a hit? How much money did he owe? Gathering my thoughts, I started throwing questions at Mark left and right.

"Bella! Take a deep breath. I'll address all your questions in a minute. First off, I need to know if anyone has come around asking questions about Laurent or if you've seen anyone around town who seems out of place?"

Edward and I looked at each other. No one came to mind.

"The only one asking questions about Laurent is you, and I haven't seen anyone around that seems out of place. Did you ask Rosalie? I still can't figure out her involvement in all of this," I asked.

"We've cleared Ms. Hale of being a suspect. She has nothing to do with Laurent's murder," he told us.

I opened my mouth to say something, but he stopped me.

"Bella. I assure you, she has nothing to do with this. She met Laurent through her sister, Lauren. From what I learned, Rosalie decided that if you got back together with Laurent then Edward would be free to date her sister. That is the extent of her involvement in this case."

Edward and I shared looks of disbelief. Rosalie had been planning for Edward to date her sister since the beginning.

"That is so fucked up!" I spat out. "How did her sister meet Laurent?"

"She met him at First Beach. I don't know much more than that, but neither one of them are suspects," he told us before continuing. "However, we do have a few suspects. The first is a man by the name of Alec Caius. He's a drug dealer out of New York City that Laurent managed to piss off. Apparently, Laurent was supposed to run some drugs for him and took off with the goods. He also owes money to a guy named Felix Demitri. Demitri is a small time drug dealer, but Laurent got in deep with him."

"How much money?" Edward asked.

"A little under a hundred grand."

My mouth fell open. Holy fuck!

"Where the hell was Laurent going to get that kind of money?" I asked.

Mark rubbed a hand over his face. "We figure that's where the stolen drugs come in. We think that Laurent stole drugs from Caius and was going to sell them or trade them to Demitri to pay off his debt. We assume that Laurent realized too late that Caius knew he took the drugs, so he left New York and headed here. He needed some place to lay low for a while and if he went back to Phoenix it would be obvious."

"That's why he showed up acting like we'd never broken up," I theorized.

"Most likely," Mark said.

"But they most have found him since he was murdered, right?"

Mark shook his head. "We don't know. Caius crew is under surveillance, and they say he's still bitching about his missing drugs. We didn't find any drugs with or on Laurent, so we can only assume that he either hid them or they were taken by whomever killed him."

Jesus!

Mark wasn't done. "I've been in contact with the New York police, and it seems that both Demitri and Caius have left the city. Chances are, they're heading toward Phoenix since that's where Laurent used to live. If they get wind that you live here, they might try and pay you a visit. I want the two of you to be on high alert. I want you to call me if immediately if you see anyone suspicious," he said in a stern voice before handing us two pictures.

The men in the pictures creeped me out, and that was saying something because I'd seen all kinds of freaky people. Alec Caius had blond hair, cold blue eyes, and a hardened face. Felix Demitri looked strung out, which he probably was. He had dark hair and eyes that had a wild look to them. Mark told us to keep the pictures and to let our friends and families know as well. I knew that I'd be taken a copy of the pictures into work and posting them in the back.

I prayed that these men wouldn't come to Forks, or if they had, that they'd left and wouldn't come back. I hated to think that people were in danger because of me; well not me directly, but because of someone from my past.

The next morning I walked into Eclipse with the two photos in my hand. I'd arrived a little early because I wanted to talk to Jake and Seth without Jane around. I found the guys in the back room in make-out mode. I cleared my throat, amused when they sprung apart like they'd been caught doing the nasty. Although, judging by the way they were breathing and the fact that they both seemed to be adjusting themselves, they might have been about to get their groove on.

"Uh ... what brings you in early?" Jake asked, his voice a bit rough.

I did my best to hide my smirk. "I had something I needed to talk to the two of you about," I said, my tone becoming serious.

"Of course. What's up?" Jake asked.

I handed over the two photos as I explained everything Mark had told me. The boys were shocked and furious that Laurent may have dragged me into that whether he intended to or not.

"I wanted to put the photos up back here, just so we have a reminder of what those two look like," I said.

They agreed, and Seth tacked the pictures on the bulletin board in the back. He stood back and stared at the pictures with a strange look on his face.

"What's wrong?" Jake asked, coming up behind Seth and wrapping his arms around him.

"This guy," he said, pointing at the picture of Alec, "seems vaguely familiar. I know I haven't seen him before, but something about him seems familiar."

Jake stared hard at the photo, cocking his head to the side. "You're right. There is something about him that's familiar, but I can't lay my finger on it."

Chills erupted over my skin. It scared me to think that perhaps they had seen Alec around.

At around nine, Jane showed up and came into the back to store her crap. She saw the photos on the board and did a double take. She took a closer look, and I swore I saw a glimpse of recognition in her eyes. Jake took her to the side and explained the situation to her. I knew that if I was the one to tell her, she'd have some kind of snarky remark to make, and then I'd end up beating her ass and getting arrested for assault and battery.

I left the room to go set up my station and wasn't surprised when she stalked out with a bitchy attitude. She shot me a nasty look as she got her shit set up, mumbling under her breath every few seconds.

"If you have something to say, just fucking say it!" I scowled at her, having enough of her bullshit.

"You're a real piece of work, Swan," she spat out.

"Excuse me? I'm a piece of work? Have you looked in the mirror lately? From the minute you set foot in this place you've given me nothing but attitude. Why don't you grow up?"

"I'm not the one who dated a loser who stole drugs and got murdered. Did you whore yourself out to help pay for you dead boyfriend's habit? Does your pathetic little boyfriend know that you dated a druggie?"

She did not just call Edward pathetic!

"Excuse me," I said, my voice deadly.

"You heard me. Does your pathetic, geeky little boyfriend know that you like to date druggies?"

All I saw was red. My hand balled up and before I knew it, I had punched her in the face. She let out a scream, holding her nose, from which I could see blood leaking. I was furious. How dare that fucking bitch call my Edward pathetic? By the time that Jake and Seth ran out to see what was going on, we were both throwing punches. I will proudly admit that I had gotten the bitch good. Her face was a bloody mess. Bitch didn't know how to fight or defend herself.

"Whoa! What the fuck is going on here?" Seth demanded to know as he pulled me off Jane.

"She attacked me! She's crazy!" Jane yelled, struggling against the hold Jake had on her.

"Shut the fuck up before I do even more damage to your face," I spat out, trying to get loose from Seth's iron grip.

"Calm down, Bells," Seth whispered in my ear. "Deep breaths, honey."

"I call it like I see 'em," she sneered.

"Enough!" Jake roared, causing Jane to flinch. "You're coming with me. We need to get you cleaned up."

He dragged Jane to the back, while Seth went and put up the closed sign, before sitting me down on the couch. He sat down across from me on the coffee table and carefully examined my face and then looked at my hand.

"Well, she got a few shots in. Nothing major. You've got a split lip and a small bruise forming on your cheek," he told me.

I gave a shrug. None of it really hurt. Jane, on the other hand, would be feeling the results of my rage for days.

"Bells? What set you off? You've dealt with Rosalie calling Edward names, and you've dealt with Alice's bullshit."

"I don't know," I said with a sigh. "I think it just all came to a head. Doesn't help that I can't stand Jane, but she had no right to call Edward pathetic or to insinuate that I sold myself to pay for Laurent's habit."

Seth's face darkened. "She had no right to say those things. But, Bella. She could file charges against you for assault and battery. You know that. I wouldn't be surprised if she did."

Fuck. I dropped my chin to my chest. I had really fucked myself over. Seth was right. She could have me charged and arrested.

"Hey," he said, lifting my chin up so I could meet his gaze. "I don't blame you one bit for wailing on her ass. If I'd heard what she'd said, I might have hit her too. Jake and I will do damage control as best as we can. For now though, I don't think either of you should be in the same room as the other."

I totally agreed. Lord knows I'd finish what I started if I came face to face with her at the moment.

"Do you want to finish out your shift or do you want to head home and cool off?" Seth asked as he stood up.

"Depends on if she's staying."

Jake came out from the back and headed toward us. He handed me two bags of ice. One for my face and one for my hand. Graciously, I took them.

"I've sent Jane home for the day. She's gonna need to ice her face since you did some nice damage to it," he told me as he approached.

"Guess I'll stay then. So, how badly did I fuck her up?" I had to ask.

Jake tried to tame the smirk that was threatening to break free. "Busted lips, busted nose, black eye, and some bruises. Someone taught you well."

I couldn't contain the grin that spread across my lips. "You have Charlie to thank for that. He made sure I knew how to fight."

"Well, thankfully she has decided not to press charges against you. Took a lot less persuasion than I thought it would," Jake said.

I let out a snort. "Probably because she's wanted for something."

Jake shook his head. "Nah, her background check came back clean."

I wasn't convinced. If Jane hated me as much as she seemed to, I didn't understand why she wasn't pressing charges. I decided that once I got home, I'd give Charlie a call and see if he couldn't find something on her. He had friends in high places.

The rest of my day was blissfully quiet and drama free. By the time six rolled around, I was ready to head home and see my Edward. I pulled into my drive an hour later and noticed that his Volvo wasn't there. I checked my phone and saw that I had a missed call. Apparently, I'd turned the ringer down low and forgotten to turn it back up. Seeing that Edward was the one who called, I gave him a quick call back.

"Hey, sweet girl," he answered.

"Hey, babe. Sorry, I didn't call you back earlier. Forgot to turn the ringer back up."

"No problem. I was calling to let you know that I'm out with Emmett and Jasper. They wanted to have a guy's night."

"Should I be expecting a drunk Edward to show up at my doorstep?" I asked, remembering the time he'd gone to the bar with Jasper.

"Uh ... no. Drunk Edward is on lock down. I actually have a feeling we're going to be discussing Rosalie and Alice and they're appalling behavior," he said, sounding resigned.

"I think it's time that you guys did talk about them. I know it's not something you're looking forward to, but it should be done. After that, you may end up drinking though," I warned.

"Very possible. So, how was your day?"

"Not that great. I may have had it out with Jane, but I'll tell you all about it later. Go have fun with the boys," I told him.

"Alright. I'll be home no later than ten. I love you."

A cheesy smile lit up my face as it always did every time I heard him say those words.

"I love you, too."

After hanging up with Edward, I made a quick dinner, then sat down on my couch to give Charlie a call.

"Bells! How are you doing, kiddo?" Charlie's warm voice asked over the phone.

I explained to him what Mark had told me and wasn't surprised that he knew Alec Caius' name. According to Charlie the guy was bad, bad news.

"Don't you or that Edward boy try and play the hero. If Caius shows up, you get away and call the police. Understood?"

"Yes, sir. I also have an issue with a co-worker," I told him before going on to explain the whole Jane situation.

He told me that he'd look into it, then asked me if I wanted to speak to Renee. I really didn't, but I knew that Renee would be upset if I had called to talk to Charlie and didn't talk to her as well.

"Bella, sweetie! How are you? How's Edward?" Renee rambled off in her usual rambunctious way.

"I'm fine. Edward's fine," I told her.

"Hmmm ... he certainly is," she said.

"Mom!"

"What? I was just agreeing with you."

"Whatever," I told her, rolling my eyes.

I talked with her for a while before finally hanging up. The woman drove me nuts. Charlie and I had agreed that it was best not to worry her too much, so she knew nothing about what was going on.

At around nine, I crawled into bed with a book that I'd been reading on and off. I'd stolen it from Edward, but I was having trouble getting into it. Half an hour later, I threw the book down in disgust. It was complete garbage. I had no idea why people enjoyed it, but I sure as hell wasn't. I flopped onto my back and let out a huff. I was bored and wanted Edward. Not too much longer, I heard the door to my house open. Edward and I each had keys to the others house. It only made sense.

"Hey, sweet girl," he called up the stairs.

"Hey, babe. How was your night?" I asked as he came into the bedroom.

He sat down on the side of the bed and let out a sigh before stretching out on his back. I crawled over to him and knelt beside him, brushing his hair from his face. His eyes were closed, and he let out a little hum of pleasure. Slowly, he opened his eyes.

"Holy shit! What happened to you?" he asked.

I tried to hold back the snicker that threatened to erupt when I heard him swear. It always made me giggle. I leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"I told you that I had it out with Jane," I reminded him.

He sat up and cupped my face in his hand. A frown marred his beautiful face, and I hated that.

"You didn't tell me that she hit you."

I rolled my eyes. "You think I look bad? You should see her. Bitch doesn't know how to fight."

The frown on his face deepened.

"I'm fine, Edward. I promise. It doesn't even hurt."

"Why did she hit you?" he asked, gently touching the bruise on my cheek.

"Probably because I planted my fist in her face."

His eyes widened with shock, and his hand fell away from my face.

"You hit her?" he asked, clearly shocked by my actions.

"She called you pathetic, and she insinuated that I was whoring myself out to help pay for Laurent's drug habit!" I shouted, defending myself.

He sat there shaking his head in disbelief. I didn't understand what the problem was. It wasn't like I just went up and hit her. I had a good reason. I was defending both of our honors.

"Bella, I love you, but fighting isn't the answer," he said.

I got off the bed and stood in front of him, arms crossed over my chest, glaring at him.

"Well, I'm sorry, but I wasn't going to just stand there while she called us names."

He sat up, putting his hands on my hips. "I understand that, love. But she could have you arrested. Did you think about that?"

I scowled. "Well, she didn't. Jake talked her out of it, although he said it didn't take much."

Edward leaned forward and rested his head against my stomach. My hands immediately found purchase in his hair. I understood that he was worried that Jane would have me arrested, but he needed to understand that I couldn't just stand by and let her talk shit, and I explained that to him.

"I know, sweet girl," he said, pressing a kiss to my stomach. "From now on though, please just fight with words. I don't want to see you hurt or arrested."

"Fine," I agreed with a huff. "But—if Rosalie or Alice start anything with me, I reserve the right to hit them."

"We'll see," was all he said before he pulled me down onto his lap and kissed the hell out of me.

Finally, we broke apart needing to breathe.

"You never did answer me. How was your night?"

"It started off stressful, but ended up okay."

"Tell me."

"We all gathered at Jasper's apartment, and it started off fine, eating pizza and watching a movie. Then Emmett brought up the fact that he and Rosalie are having problems. He's furious with her. I guess he found out that she wants me to date her sister, and he can't figure out why. According to him, Laurel is a witch and a, well—uh, a slut. He flat out told her to leave it alone because I was with you and that wasn't going to change anytime soon. So she's all pissed off at him, and he at her."

"And Jasper?" I asked.

"He's mad at Alice. He doesn't know why she keeps pushing the issue of Rosalie's sister. He's told her to leave it alone, but she just keeps bugging him about it. He said that he blew up at her, and they really got into it. When he asked her why she was so adamant about me dating Laura, she refused to give him an answer. He pretty much told Alice, that if she keeps it up, he's calling off the wedding."

Whoa. I hadn't expected that. It was nice to know though, that they had my back.

"After that, we played some Madden."

"You played a football video game?"

"Yes," he answered sounding affronted.

"How'd that go for you?" I asked, trying not to giggle.

"I can button mash with the best of them," he said with a wry grin.

I burst into giggles. I could just see him sitting there randomly pushing buttons trying to keep up with Emmett and Jasper.

"Are you laughing at me, Ms. Swan?"

"No," I said, trying to keep a straight face.

Before I could get away, Edward pounced on me, digging his fingers into my ribs, causing me to squeal. He was ruthless, refusing to stop until I warned him that I was going to pee my pants. Finally, he let me go and I laid there trying to catch my breath. Looking over at him, I saw a cocky look on his face. He looked very pleased with himself. I narrowed my eyes. I'd get him back when he least expected it.

By the time Friday rolled around, I was ready for the weekend. It has been stressful at work the past few days, seeing as how Jane and I had to actually been in the same vicinity as one another and try and act civil. I pretty much ignored her, while she would send me dirty looks and mutter under her breath. I was pleased to see that she looked like shit and still bore my marks.

Charlie hadn't gotten back to me yet, and I wasn't sure whether to be worried or not. It could mean that he didn't find anything, or it could be he found out something about her and was digging deeper. Either way, I was eagerly waiting to hear from him.

I got home that afternoon and found a bouquet of rhododendrons waiting for me on the front porch. I picked them and looked for a card, but found none. I was a bit perplexed. I could see Edward sending me flowers, but I was positive he would have sent a little love note with it. Quickly, I set them back down on the porch and pulled out my phone. I shot off a text to Edward and got a reply quickly.

He hadn't sent them. I debated for a few minutes on whether or not to call Mark and bother him over what could be nothing.

"Hunter."

"Mark? It's Bella."

"Bella! Have you spotted either of those men?" he asked.

"No, but someone left a bouquet of flowers on my front porch, and it wasn't Edward. I don't know of anyone else who would leave me flowers," I told him a bit more shaken than I'd realized.

Fifteen minutes later, Mark pulled into my drive. He bagged the flowers and the vase and told me that they'd look for fingerprints on them.

"It could be nothing," I protested, feeling slightly bad that I'd made him come out here.

"Or it could be something. Do you know the meaning behind rhododendrons?" he asked me.

I shook my head no.

"It means beware or danger. The fact that these have been sent to you without a note, has me wondering."

"How in the world do you know the meaning behind the flowers?" I asked, curiously.

Mark flushed a bit. "My mother was a florist. She loved flowers and growing up, she taught me the meaning behind different ones."

Before he left, Mark told me to call him if I got any other presents. I promised I would. I was extremely creeped out.

Two hours later, Edward pulled into his drive. I flew into his arms before he'd even shut his car door. I hugged him tightly, taking in his wonderful scent and the feel of his arms.

"Everything okay?" he asked, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

"Mark came and got the flowers," I said, my voice muffled because I'd buried my head in his shirt. "He said the meaning behind the flowers was beware and danger."

I felt Edward stiffen beneath me. "Crap. Does he think those guys are after you?"

"I don't know. He's going to do fingerprinting tests on them or something. He said he'd let me know what he finds out. I'm so sorry, Edward. You're life was drama free before I came into it."

He hugged me tighter, running his fingers through my hair.

"Hush. I love you and nothing is going to change that. Um ... would you want to go out on a date with me this weekend?"

"Do you really have to ask?"

"It seemed the polite thing to do," he answered.

"Of course I'll go on a date with you."

"Excellent. How about dinner somewhere?"

I pulled away to look at him. "Dinner somewhere would be fabulous."

He gave my ass a pinch causing me to jump. "Don't be a smartypants."

I stuck my tongue out at him before turning and walking up the walk to his house. I didn't feel comfortable hanging out in my house at the moment. Edward followed me in, and we got settled on the couch after he changed into some comfortable clothes.

"Oh, Jasper got a job," he told me.

"Teaching?"

"Yeah, but he can't start until the beginning of the school year. So for now, he's stuck at the library until September. But at least he has a job lined up. I've still got nothing."

And that reminded me that I needed to talk to Jake and Seth about having Edward work on their website. I'd kept meaning to do it, but things had gotten in the way. I was about to ask him if he was interested in doing that, when my phone rang. Grabbing it, I noticed that Charlie was calling.

"Charlie?"

"Hey, Bells. Sorry, it's taken me so long to get back to you."

"What did you find out?"

a/n: Oh, no I didn't? Oh, yes I did. I totally left it there. Why? Because I'm an evil bitch. Mwhaaaa! So as far as my crime detecting skills go, I was a criminal justice major for a semester, my mother's a criminologist, and I watch lots of crime dramas on TV, so I'm sure I'll manage to screw the process up. But it's fiction, so ... yeah. Anyway, let me know what you all thought. I'm attempting to eat right and exercise (ugh) so send some carrot sticks my way as well as a review.