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.

Jacob Black reached out a searching hand trying to find and quiet the steadily ringing cell phone. As he did grab the phone it stopped only to start again. "Shit, what the hell do you want?" he questions the caller without checking to see who was calling. The night he had just spent with Irina had him still needing more sleep since their activities took all night and he had only fallen asleep about two hours before.

"Watch your damn mouth when talking to me. You owe me and at the moment I own you. Where is my money? The deadline is quickly approaching and I'm looking for the down payment that you promised. Do you have it yet?"

CHAPTER 18: WHO IS PLANNING WHAT!

Edward had observed Bella closely off and on the whole time they were returning home. And, he would see her blush come at times only to fade then return again and again time after time. It kept him wondering what was going on in her mind that might be causing such a reaction, but, was too much of a coward to ask about it. Their time together this trip had been pleasant and a time of getting to know one another better in spite of the fact that Bella was working. Edward felt that he got to see an entirely different side of Bella, but, it was one that was exciting in a different way than what his work involved, as she was totally focused on doing a good job without taking any credit away from the staff that was truly responsible for getting everything in place and ready. She quickly gave credit where credit was due while treating all of her employees with respect and letting them feel like they had value.

Finally, both Edward and Bella fell into a light sleep during the last leg of their journey home not worrying about what might be waiting for them once they landed. Both were aware of the swarm of the paparazzi that continuously hang out at the airport waiting to pounce upon anyone that could give them a paycheck.

Bella awoke to Edward softly stroking her cheek and with a whisper, "We're getting ready to land. The pilot has just announced the preparation for landing."

"Oh, okay." She answered while attempting to sit straighter in her seat. Looking around once she is in an upright position she notices that everyone else is preparing for landing as well. Looking at Edward she gives him a slight smile and then her mind snaps to remembering what she is considering to do about Edward and herself as well as the dream she had just awoken from. That telltale blush of hers begins which once again raises questions in Edward's mind as to what is causing that blush. He is greatly interested in finding out once they are in a place and position without an audience.

XXXXXX

At the studio everyone was busily trying to get the next challenge assembled and tested for the safety of the star-studded contestants involved. The higher ups are starting to get nervous and worried about all of the minor delays and accidents that have taken place in the past weeks while doing this finale show. True no one has been hurt so far, but, that could change at a moment's notice without warning. And, the happenings have been kept from the attention of the contestants, their agents and the media which is another blessing in disguise. But, how long that good fortune will last is anyone's guess.

It is only a matter of days before everyone returns for this challenge and a lot of zip lines along with repelling walls are going to be involved. It opens the door for accidents of any size and the notice of what has been going on will draw attention to all that has been covered.

Without letting too many people know of certain changes, a security team has been hired to oversee to the safety of crew and contestants. The team is now working around the clock to make sure no one can mess with the challenge set up once all things in each area has been completed.

It is with a sigh of relief that each morning everyone reports to work to begin on the next phase of the challenge after checking on what had been done previously to insure that all is as it should be that the day's work begins anew and fresh to add more to the setup.

But, it is with dread and caution that at the end of the day everyone leaves praying that nothing is messed with during the night.

XXXXXX

"When is the bitch and Edward going to be home? Have you received any word from some of your resources?" Irina was asking Jacob as she stretched before getting out of bed.

"The information I last received was they were leaving Heathrow and on the way back here, but, had a change at Logan to continue onwards to here: So, to answer your question, that bastard and Bella should be home sometime tonight or the early morning hours."

"Edward isn't a bastard." Was the quick retort given from Irina.

"Then use common sense to realize that Bella isn't a bitch in the sense that you are referring. She is every bit a lady which is more than can be said for the present company of the female persuasion in this room." Jacob replied with a slight bow at the waist towards his bed companion of the last several weeks.

Jacob knew that he needed to control his mouth and be careful of what he says since Irina was helping to meet certain financial obligations. Her money was greatly needed at the moment and he couldn't afford to insult her too damn far or he would lose that last chance to buy time until his plan was completed. With that last phone call a day or so ago, Jacob knew that the clock was ticking and the time was marching quickly forward without missing a single step. No, he definitely needed to keep Irina close and closer at the moment without letting her know that her money was the only true reason why.

"Has there been any word about any changes to the schedules for filming?" Irina was asking Jacob and he had to quickly snap his mind back to the present.

"No, but, then if I had received a call then so would you have." He commented with a bit of sarcasm in his tone.

"I'm not sure about that since I've been busy with meeting my agent and talking with some producers about a couple of upcoming parts that I want to do. One of the major parts is being offered to Edward and I definitely want to be in the forefront to be able to have the lead opposite his part."

"I thought he told you that he wasn't going to do another movie with you." Jacob reminded her.

"Oh, he was just saying that to impress the people that were there at the moment. He doesn't really mean it."

"Are you sure? From what I heard he was none to gentle in his choice of words when he told you."

"As I said he was just acting that way to impress the people that was there with him, mainly, that bitch that you are panting after. And, don't think that you have me fooled one little bit, you're after her, but, you want to get control of her money as well. You had definite plans for her and the life you envision that you two will be living, even, if it is against what she believes she wants." Irina informed Jacob that she wasn't the fool that he might be thinking she was, in spite, of the way she behaves.

Irina got up from the bed and began to gather her clothes on the way to the bathroom. Jacob heard the shower begin shortly after she had quietly closed the door. Once she had left Jacob was planning what his next moves should be to bring more disarray to the challenges that are remaining in the show. He was going to pay the studio a visit in the hope of finding out what the next challenge was going to be and then have a quick glance if at all possible to see how he could screw things up a little bit further.

XXXXXXX

"Is there any way that you might be able to create more disruption for their finale show?"

"I do have a few things working since the next challenge is going to involve a lot of rope action."

"We don't want anyone seriously injured or killed. Just make problems for the show. We just need something that will draw to the show by the press. Bad press is needed to be generated against them and can be with some of the public's beloved personalities that are involved in doing the show."

"Do worry so much, I've got it covered."

"Okay. We're depending on you."

XXXXXXX

"Is everything ready to teach Jacob Black a lesson about who he crosses?"

"Not completely, but, I have things almost in place to deal with it. But, you must understand that I have to work within certain boundaries since the studio I'm working for wants me to disrupt the program as well. There is no way that the two of you can be tied together, or, it would create a larger situation that would be hard to contain let alone try controlling."

"That's true. So, do what needs to be done but, make sure that no one can point a finger in this direction."

"Don't worry, I've got you covered."

"I'm sure of that from what you've told us already."

"You guys took good care of my brother by giving him a job that kept him out of trouble and on the right side of the law. And, you're still taking care of him and his family. For that I'm grateful."

XXXXXX

Edward and Bella quickly move to claim their baggage after landing with airport security providing protection against the curious and the paparazzi trying to get pictures along with a story.

Their driver was waiting for them just inside of the airport doorway to be able to get them and their things quickly into the car and then away from the crowds with the continued help of airport security.

"Looks as if we might need to hire security for you to protect you since you're now linked to me; guess I should have considered that before now." Edward mentioned with a little frown showing on his face.

"Don't worry about it. We can manage, but, if it does get too bad then we can consider our options at that time. Right now it is just the newness of our marriage that is causing the additional interest." Bella reasoned with Edward.

No other words were exchanged between the couple as the way back to Edward's house was accomplished. Once there the driver helped with the baggage once again and then left as the couple entered the house and retrieved their individual pieces to head upstairs and then prepare to get some rest instead of unpacking at that time.

Bella did place her pieces in a guest bedroom across the hall from Edward's room while he continued on in, dropping his luggage and headed into the bathroom to take a shower. Bella did enter the bathroom in the guest room to use the shower as Edward was doing. But, she did have a plan in mind as to why she was using the guest room as well; one that Edward isn't aware of as yet, but, is about to receive a surprise.

Once the showers were completed, Edward entered the bedroom to find that he was alone and thought that Bella was going to use the guest room to sleep in, so, he went on to bed, getting comfortable and was reaching to turn off the light as he heard the door open. Looking towards the door his mouth fell open from shock and surprise as he beheld the vision standing in his bedroom doorway.

A/N: Okay, what is going on with Jacob and the mysterious strangers that are demanding money? What plans is he going to hatch to bring about more problems for the program? What is Bella's plan and what is Edward seeing?

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.