TEAM FOREVER
Disclaimer: The Cullens, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.
My stories are being beta'd by dowlingnana and she is doing an awesome job. Thanks so much.
It had been a hard day and emotions were still running high after everyone had arrived back at the studio to clean up as best they could before going home for the evening.
Jacob and Irina were trying to find a way to get a hold of Bella and Edward, separately, so, they could talk with them. Find a way to cause trouble between the newly married couple, if possible.
After Alice and Rosalie were cleaned up they stopped by to talk with Edward and Bella to let them know that they all were to be meeting with the older Cullen's at the hotel for dinner and drinks. That wasn't what Edward wanted to do, but, what choice did he have, they were his parents. He just wanted to go home with Isabella and them talk, spend the evening quietly together and get to know one another better. At the same time he wanted to alert her to the entire conversation that had taken place with his family while she had been unpacking. It seemed like every time he was planning some alone time with her someone else made plans or interfered with what he wanted to do.
At the same time he wanted to discuss Bella's idea for her new gallery and see if he could be allowed to offer help to move it along. This was his way of making sure she would stay in Los Angeles for a while so he had time to let her get to know him better and possibly, grow to love him. Give him a chance to let her see that marriage was a worthwhile union and that theirs was definitely one that needed to be permanent.
CHAPTER 12: ARE WE SAFE
"Well, today didn't go very well. How do you feel about being last in the last round?" Edward asked Bella.
"To be honest, I didn't like it, but, that is only one section. The main thing is the team that reaches the finish line first. There is always going to be a step forward and then one back, but, we can at least be happy with what we have done so far." She spoke reassuringly to Edward.
"Do you really feel that way?"
"Yes, because I know that the Blue team is going to win this thing and we will be able to give much needed help to our chosen charities. That is what truly counts, not what happens during the in between stages, but, the fact that we are at the end first and by doing it the right way with no cheating."
"You're right, but, that still doesn't take the sting out of being last today." He remarks with a slight smile. Next he has a complete change of topic by asking, "Do you really want to join my family for dinner today?"
"No. I would like to take the time to start getting my plans completed and making some phone calls to get started on the new gallery proposal." Was the answer. "But, I do believe that we can put in an appearance just to eat with them and then offer our excuses to leave immediately after. That way we have met that obligation while in the long run it still gives us time to have some private time for other projects."
"Okay, but, understand that they aren't going to want to let the evening end that easily or early." He warned her. Then he continued, "If they say or ask anything that we haven't discussed or I covered last night with them, then just play it off and I'll try to change the topic quickly."
"Okay, let's go and change so we get the parent thing over. We have a lot to do tonight bef-"
"Oh, good, you're both still here. Glad I was able to catch at least some of you. The rest we will have to call." The young girl that assisted the producer was rambling like all of her thoughts were running together.
Finally, Edward held his hand up indicating for her to stop and he asked, "What's up, Miley?"
"Oh, sorry, I did get a bit carried away with thinking about notifying all of you that it will be a week before the next set is ready. Hope that doesn't put any of you into a bind but certain things need to be stabilized and it will take that long." She quickly explained, but, showed signs of being a bit worried that someone was going to yell at her or something.
"Miley, what's wrong? You are nervous as hell."
"Nothing really, just a few minor problems keep popping up that is causing a bit of concern." She says while trying to shy away from the couple.
"Like what?"
"Nothing really as I said. In fact, please, just forget that I said anything." She answers while still trying to back away from what she fears might be more probing questions.
Edward reaches out to take her wrist which stops her from further moving away from them and then asks once more, "Like what? What is causing such concern that has you jumpy as hell?
"I have worked long enough on this project with all of you and I have seen you come and go doing your job efficiently to know when something has you rattled. Now what is it? Maybe I can help?"
"Mr. Masen, if I say anything and anyone finds out I could lose my job."
"Won't happen, I won't let it, and, if it does happen then I will help you get another one, so, don't worry. Now, answer my question, please."
After Miley gives a quick look around she shakes her head, breathes in and then out a time or two before seemingly coming to a decision. "The studio heads are concerned about injuries to all of you. What with all of you being such big names in the media and to the world it would look bad for all of us and them if something was to go wrong that would cause any of you to be harmed." She quickly told him and Bella, although, she hadn't said a word during this whole exchange.
Looking between the two teammates Miley continues after her pause, "It doesn't normally take this long with as many breaks as we have to give all of you to get things ready. Something funny is going on and it is causing a lot of concern to the higher ups as I mentioned because this one segment has such a large number of high profile contestants." And once again she pauses while taking another look around to make sure no one has shown up or is anywhere close to listening in on the conversation.
"Okay, I can appreciate all of the concern, but, why is all of this concern being felt in the first place," Bella asks, which is the first time she's offered anything into the conversation.
"Ms. Swan, oh excuse me, Mrs. Masen, I forgot about the name change for a moment. We normally have all sets in place and can move quickly from one to the next without a problem, but, with this segment things haven't been going as it should.
"At first we had everything planned and ready to be set up, but, for some reason things would be changed during the night, taken down, lost, misplaced, or, just rearranged. And, it didn't raise any alerts the first time or two, but, now it is a regular occurrence and has everyone nervous, so, they are afraid to have the next set ready beforehand for those reasons.
"We have to check, re check and check again to make sure everything is as it should be and to insure that no accidents will happen. All of it is little things, but, the little things are enough to cause problems to a larger scale. And, if anyone knew I was telling you this I could be in big trouble."
"Don't worry; no one will know from us that you mentioned anything. But, what is the thoughts as to who might be doing all of this and why?" Edward reassures the young woman while Bella nods in agreement with his statements.
"That's the problem; no one knows. We do have a bit of jealousy from the other stations due to our program being the leader of that night's time slot, but, nothing has ever happened like this before. We are a new show and want to keep our ratings to be available for the next season. That's the reason why we want to end with this finale as I'm sure that it was explained to all of you.
"But, with what is happening it is as if two forces are working against each other and creating problems for everyone. It has all of us walking as if on eggshells cause we are afraid of what anyone of our celebrities might do if it was found out."
"Now, I understand fully your concern. But, you don't have anything to worry about from us, we won't be telling anyone." Edward told her. "In fact, we won't be saying anything to anyone unless the situation gets to be a life threatening situation then I'll assume that the studios will be issuing a statement to all of us."
"But, you say that we will be off for a week before the next set is ready?" Bella asked.
"Yes ma'am, it will take that long to get everything in place, put together and checked to make sure no accidents can or will occur. I hope that isn't going to create a problem for you or any of the others?"
"Not that I'm aware of it isn't." Bella replied. "It will give me time to work on a special project that has just come to light as well as make a quick trip to France for a showing." And, with those facts being offhandedly revealed Edward looked at his wife of one day with a bit of puzzlement. Bella noticed his reaction, but, said nothing in front of the production assistant.
"We'll let Alice Whitlock and Rosalie McCarty aware of the delay but you'll have to be responsible for telling Jacob Black and Irina Starlyon know about it."
"That I can do Sir," Miley told him with a smile forming. And, then she started to turn away only to turn back towards the couple once more. "Thank you for allowing me to talk with you and for agreeing not to give me away. I do appreciate it." Then with saying that she did walk away from Edward and Bella with the couple standing there watching and both a bit puzzled by the facts she had just revealed to them.
"Why would anyone want to put people in jeopardy like that?" Bella quietly asked as if to no one in particular. Edward didn't answer as he was wondering the same thing, but, didn't really feel all that concerned about it.
"Shall we continue on to get ready for a quick dinner with your family and then back to the house to work on our own projects?"
"By all means, let's go." And with that they both headed out to Edward's car and then home. The fact didn't escape Edward that Bella hadn't called it home, but, 'the house'. He had a lot of area to cover in such a short period of time. It was then that another thought struck him about the trip Bella had just mentioned. With the time off he would be able to accompany her to France and it would definitely give the right appearance to the media about their marriage being real. It would also keep Black away from Bella.
All of these things needed to be discussed along with a lot more. Yeah, he needed to take the time tonight once they got back home to talk with Bella about a lot of things.
A/N: Does Edward need to have a greater concern about what Miley revealed to him and Bella? What do you think the rest of the people are going to do with the time off before they begin filming again? Will Jacob take the news of Edward possibly going to France with Bella very well?
If any of you have a suggestion as to what their next challenge should be let me know.
Your reviews are always welcomed and I will be updating this story every two to three weeks due to the number of open stories I have going at the present time. As each come to completion, then updating will become more frequent once again.