Chapter 5

BPOV

I was back up early and I had left the food simmering over the fire and gone for a walk in the woods. I really wished I wasn't hiding up here because I wanted to go out with Edward so badly. But I knew I couldn't. No one could know I was here in this country or my life would be in danger. They had to keep their cases secret and I had to keep my life a secret. I came out of the woods and we sat down to eat. Together in the class 5 rapids, we worked as a perfect team to power through them together or if I just needed to steer they let me. They did know how to follow orders. Edward could even anticipate when I needed a small hand with steering.

In the afternoon, while we used the Dutch oven to cook our dinner, we did some more climbing and Jasper was my partner that afternoon. The guys used my tap in and quick release tricks and they loved it. Edward said, "You should teach a class for the CIA and FBI."

I just smiled and said, "Why? Now that you guys know how, you can teach everyone else."

"True, Bella."

That night we sat around campfire for two hours, I told stories of other people on different river runs. The guys shared stories about people from their cases, but not the actual details of their cases. I told them about my mother dying when I was younger that had just left myself, my dad and an uncle. My uncle died when I was 13 from a sudden heart attack. My dad and I were very close and he made sure I knew karate and all the water things I knew. I had also admitted through a few tears he had died a few years ago. We learned all of that two nights ago. Tonight Bella told happy stories of scuba diving, surfing and snorkeling with her father.

Emmett said, "I would love to see you in a bikini surfing; especially when you wipe out and the wave messes up your bikini."

I just looked at Jasper and Edward and said, "Is he always like this?"

"Yes, he thinks from his pants when he isn't working," Jasper said.

"However, when he is working, he can normally keep the sexist comments to himself. Thanks to Carlisle always threatening to write him up if he doesn't behave," Edward added.

I went to bed early as always and the boys again told me good night and sweet dreams after the light in my tent went off. As I closed my eyes to go to sleep, I really missed my sisters that night and telling them good night.

After breakfast, we went to climb and Edward asked, "Bella, have you ever done any bouldering?"

"No I haven't."

"Do you want to try? We can act as your spotters plus lay out sleeping bags in case any of us fall. You should be fine climbing up about twenty feet."

"I could try, but I need someone to show me what you look for in hand and foot holds."

Jasper said, "I'll show you, Bella."

Emmett said, "I'll be your spotter and catch you if you fall."

Edward said, "I don't think so Emmett. This was my idea. I'll be her spotter and you can be Jasper's."

"Fine," he mumbled. "But I'll still help Bella, too, if need be."

We laid out the sleeping bags. They gave me a chalk bag to cinch around my waist and I really had to cinch it, compared to the three of them. Jasper led the way and I went to the right side of him. I first followed Edward's directions. I slipped when I was maybe four feet off the ground and Edward caught me without any problems. I quickly got out of his hold and said thank you and started again trying to find better holds and not wanting to fall because I didn't want to be that close to Edward again. So slow and steady I caught up to Jasper again. We went about twenty feet up and as I relaxed for a minute or two before we headed back down, Jasper asked, "Well. How is it?"

"I like it, but I still like climbing better because I can go higher."

"True, but this has its own thrill," then Jasper started talking me back down the wall.

Since I sure as hell couldn't act as a spotter for them, Emmett and Edward went up separately; but they had a timed race and Edward won.

We packed back up the sleeping bags and the climbing gear then left for the rapids. About an hour into the run, I hit a rock I couldn't see. We started bucking through the water not on the path I liked; we took one corner to sharp. We all got wet; the water also got onto all over our gear. I still wasn't back in control. I tell Jasper and Edward to pull their oars in; we are about to hit another rock formation. Then I thought I could get us back in control.

Jasper pulls his oar in and Edward says, "Let me help out, Bella."

As I said, "No," we hit the rocks. Edward fell out into the water because he was not secure like I told him that I was okay with the steering this time.

"Edward, oh shit. Why couldn't you listen to me?" I screamed even though I knew he couldn't hear me.

Jasper turned around and said, "Oh shit. What do we do Bella?"

"Hold on, I have a plan."

I fight and steer the raft to keep the raft ahead of Edward. I finally find a place in the rapids; I can trap the raft with Edward trapped, as well. I turn us so the front of the boat is aimed at Edward. I had my body leaned onto the oar against the rocks keeping us in place. All my muscles were on fire; but I wasn't about to let anything happen to Edward.

"Jasper and Emmett lock up your oars." They did. "Now stay low, lean forward and pull Edward into the raft." Emmett and Jasper pulled in a soaking wet Edward. "Edward, are you okay?"

"Yes," he nodded at me.

"Good. Now the three of you lock in under the seat ledges like you are supposed to so that I can get us to calmer water."

Emmett asked, "Bella, do you need help?"

"No, I got this one. Just make sure Eddie there stays under the seat ledge." I push us off the ledge I have us wedged into, turn us 180 degrees and take us to calmer water. I had to maneuver us through class three rapids for another fifteen minutes by myself. As we finally entered calmer water, I laid my oar down and let us silently float and I thanked god I was able to keep Edward behind my boat so that we could get to him.

Jasper looked at me and said, "Are you okay, Bella?"

"Yes, I was just taking a breather. Why don't you two pick up your oars and I'll stir us to the beach. We should be there soon."

The three of us started paddling and Emmett said, "That was impressive. Bella, you maneuver this boat like a fine little sports car."

Jasper said, "You know how to play this river like a professional musician."

"Thanks guys. I love this river and I know it very well; but I, also, know it can change from day to day and that is what happened today. I didn't see the unexpected rock and I had to recover from it knocking me out of my regular course."

"Where did the rock come from?" Emmett asked.

"You dumb shit we are in the mountains with cliffs all around us. You have heard of rock slides Emmett. Like the one we were in Northern China," Jasper said.

Edward stays silent. As soon as Edward gets his gear bag, he goes and changes into dry clothes. He lays out his clothes near the fire to dry. We start setting up camp. My arms are really tired and sore. I finally pull out three Advil and take them.

Emmett catches me and asks, "Are you getting a migraine, Bella?"

"No."

"Then why did you just take three Advil?"

And as I turned to answer, I found everyone looking at me.

I smiled and said, "You try holding the raft in place in class three rapids while doing a rescue. I'll be okay, I promise."

"Alright, but only if you are sure and grab a piece of fruit to go with the Advil, we don't want it upsetting your stomach," Jasper said.

"Fine, dad."

I did. Then Emmett came up to me and said, "Go sit down. We will take care of camp and dinner." I did because my arms were so tired.

Jasper brought me my tent and said, "Your tent is soaked and your sleeping bag is soaked in one corner. Now what are you going to do?"

"It's no big deal. I'll lay my sleeping bag by the fire and it will be dry by the time I go to sleep. Tent I can do without."

Emmett made dinner that night. It was fantastic. Emmett and Edward caught us some fish and we had grilled fish for dinner. Edward takes his drink right before we start dinner and said, "To all of you, thank you for coming to my rescue when I was stupid. You, Bella, I am truly impressed. This river belongs to you and it should fear you. I'm sorry I have been an ass to you all week and that I ever doubted your ability on this river."

"Thank you but you were only an ass the first day and today when you didn't listen to me. Oh yeah and on the second morning when I thought you were making a pass at me or going to rape me."

"Thank you, Bella. This has been a great vacation. Boys, don't you think so. The rapids and climbing are the best we have ever had, and we have learned a lot, as well," Edward said.

Jasper and Emmett agreed and we ate our dinner. "Bella, tell us about your mother," Edward said as we sat back around the fire and relaxed.

That night I told them about my mother dying at age 7 and how my father made up for it and the memories that I had from my mother and those my father had shared with me.

I go for a walk so the boys can have some quiet time.

I said, "Whoever is following me go away?"

"No, it's me Edward. I wanted to apologize to you personally for the ass I have been on this trip to you."

"It's no big deal Edward. I'm a big girl."

"Well, this is not like me. Tanya, my ex, left a very sour taste in my mouth when she left. Plus our last case involved way too many women we had to protect and we got hit on by them all the time while we were saving their lives. Then we run into you a self sufficient broad who doesn't take any crap from us but is sexy as hell."

"Edward, what did you just say to me?"

"Sexy as hell. I'm sorry I meant it as a compliment."

"Thank you for the compliment, but I promise I'm way too self sufficient for any of you. Go back to your buddies and I'll be back soon."

"Okay. I'm sorry, Bella. I guess I said something wrong again."

"Edward, maybe it's just me." Edward left me alone I think to myself; thank god he leaves me alone. Twenty minutes later I returned to the fire and we sit and talk some more.

"Aren't you going to set up your tent?"

"No. I'll sleep on my sleeping bag by fire."

"Okay, but we can behave and you can come in our tent."

"That's okay. I can tough it out outside. Guys, it's not really toughing it out; I like to sleep outside in the summer and hear the sounds of nature."

I fell asleep on my sleeping bag around 10pm due to exhaustion from the rapids and keeping the boat locked into place.

EPOV

When Emmett noticed that Bella was asleep, he said, "She looks so angelic there. Yet six hours ago, she saved all of our asses when the raft got out of control. She is so small; yet she fought the river to get Edward back to us. Bella then wedged her oar and herself into the rocks while we pulled you in."

"I know," said Jasper. "Then she brought us all down the rapids with just her steering. Maybe we should talk to Carlisle about her services for water training and water missions."

"That would be cool," I said.

"Yeah, then you could ask her out," Emmett said.

"Emmett, what are you talking about?" I asked.

Jasper said, "Edward, look in the mirror man. Bella is exactly what you have been looking for. She is as adventuress as you. You two would have a blast every weekend up in the mountains or at a lake plus she is beautiful to boot."

"I bet you two wouldn't need anymore than a two man pop up tent because you would be rocking it with her at night," Emmett said. I leaned over and punched him. "What Edward cat got your tongue because you know it is true?"

"Shut up," then I got up and walked away so I could try and clear my thoughts from my head. Yes, I wanted Bella around and yes, I would like to go out on a date with her. Bella wasn't interested though she had made that clear to me. So I was just going to have to enjoy my last day with her and tell her goodbye, but slip her my business card if she was ever in LA. I came back to the camp site about fifteen minutes later.

At 11 we went to go to bed for the night, Jasper said, "What now it's trying to rain?"

I said, "It's simple. I'm the smallest; she'll share a sleeping bag with me."

"They're your balls, man," Emmett said.

"Open the tent and unzip my bag, then I can slide her in easily." Emmett and Jasper got the tent open and I scooped Bella into my arms. This felt so right to me. I soon had her right up against me in my sleeping bag. Jasper quickly grabbed her sleeping bag so that it wouldn't get soaked. Emmett zipped Bella and I into my sleeping bag. As Emmett and Jasper were getting settled in, at that moment I knew I wanted a life with Bella Swan, but how?

Emmett asked, "How is it Edward? I'll take her if you need me, too."

"It's fine. I just hope she doesn't move around too much and hurt me as a man."

Jasper asked, "Man, are you really complaining? You have a very beautiful woman in your sleeping bag with you."

"No Jasper. I'm not complaining at all. Now go to sleep before we wake her up."