Chapter 24

BPOV

The next morning I was up running on the treadmill at six. Edward soon found me and asked, "How are you?"

"Good, I slept really well. I don't even remember any dreams."

I then moved to the weight set and continued working out. I knew I needed to bulk up; hopefully, it would help compensate for the recoil for the gun fire. I knew I could never do as much as the boys; but I was going to improve. Edward finally said, "Five more."

"What do I get?"

"A kiss."

"Okay," and I pushed through them.

I got my kiss from him, headed upstairs to shower and got ready for the office.

As soon as we got to the office, the boys had a meeting to go to. Carlisle came with me to the shooting range today. He was as good at Jasper at putting me at ease while showing me how to aim and he showed me a trick to help absorb the recoil of the shots. Carlisle told me for my last round aim for each shoulder, hip, heart and head and see how I did. I tried it was far from perfect, but I was in the realm.

"Alright, let's go." Once we were out of the range, Carlisle said, "I'm going to schedule you three days a week in the range. Once your aim has improved, then we can move you outdoors to moving target practice. Jasper told me that shooting around Edward has made you nervous."

"Yes, it does."

"Well, once you get better indoors, you need to let him distract you. Then keep practicing because you need that aiming ability even if you are distracted."

"I understand Carlisle; I'll work all of it. I want to help keep everyone safe."

Carlisle brought me into a conference room, all the guys were there plus there were a couple of naval officers.

"Good morning, your- I'm sorry, good morning, Bella," one of the naval officers said.

"Thank you," I said with a smile. I looked at Carlisle and then at Edward.

"The navy what?" I said.

"Bella sit down. Carlisle's plan is ingenious," Edward said.

We all sat down. Carlisle said, "This is Captain Joe and Admiral Mack."

"Hello sirs," I said. "So Carlisle, what's this meeting about? Were the guys already going over the plans with the Navy?"

"Yes, they were discussing logistics and supplies we would need with us."

"Carlisle, we can't go in on a naval ship."

"You're right Bella."

"Oh my god, we are going in via a sub to get past the pirates."

"Damn," said Sam. "She is good."

"Okay, Carlisle, how close can we get to the back side of the island?"

"Is a mile close enough with water scooters? And how did you know I had decided to go in via the back side of the island?" Carlisle asked.

"Yes and easy the depth of the water and from the satellite images we have all seen very little pirate activities on that side."

"Bella, I am going to turn you into the United States best secret agent."

"Thank you. Okay, now, I'm confused. Admiral Mack, how do we get out of the sub?"

"Captain Joe, would you like to explain?"

Edward quickly put his hand on mine and then Captain Joe said, "The simple answer is torpedo shoots."

I tensed up and Edward said, "Relax Bella. Let him explain." So the captain brought up diagrams and showed us how the one shoot worked.

"It's a great idea," I said after I saw how it worked.

Carlisle said, "Eight of us are going in to get your father's body. You and Edward, Emmett and Jasper. Myself and Sam, and Seth and Jake. When we come back we'll also have your father. The sub can handle getting your father back on board and preserving him."

"What will the crew be told?"

"As little as possible."

"They'll know there is a woman on board. Though I'm sorry, Bella; you'll be required to stay in your quarters the entire time. I'll give you my cabin that has a bathroom. This is for three reasons. 1. I'm sorry you are a queen 2. You are a woman and we don't usually allow women on board and 3. My men wouldn't be able to concentrate with you on board."

"I understand that captain and thank you."

"You'll have two of your guards in the room next door to protect you and keep an eye on you 24/7. The rest of your team will be in the sleeping quarters with the crew. They can visit whenever they want, but you'll probably be claustrophobic with more than four in your room."

Carlisle said, "Captain. We need a place to prepare all the gear the morning we leave and Bella will need to be with us."

"We can arrange that."

"And the day before we launch, we'll need a place we can sit down and go through the plan."

"I understand. We can arrange for a time in the dining hall that day."

"Bella, from when we leave from Hawaii until we return to Hawaii, you'll be on the sub locked in your room for ten days."

"Captain, I understand. I think I can survive. Now how do we get out of the torpedo shoots?"

"We close them and clear the water. We open them and you get in. We flood the shoot and then we open it and you swim out. Once clear you can turn on the scooters and go."

"How do we return?"

"The same way just opposite."

Carlisle said, "Bella, you'll come out of the shot last. And you'll go back in first."

"Sorry, Carlisle," Captain Joe interrupted. "She goes out second to last and comes back second. She needs one of your men as her escort at all times."

"Sorry, Captain. I understand and we'll make that work."

"Carlisle, when do we leave?"

"On January 9th, we are flying to Hawaii and on January 10th we board the sub. We'll arrive to get your father on the 15th. Hopefully on the 20th, when we get back to Hawaii, we can get a flight out that night. Then you'll be back under house arrest with the boys on the 21st."

"Miss Bella Swan, it'll be an honor having you on our submarine and we'll take great care of you." And then he kissed my hand.

"Captain, thank you, but I don't want anything special. Just safely get me to my country and back is all I am asking."

"Yes, ma'am." he said.

"Admiral," I said, "Thank you for lending me one of this country's submarines."

"You're welcome," and he came around. He said, "I have to show you the respect you deserve," as he leaned down and said, "It's our pleasure, your highness."

"Captain Joe, I'll see you in a few months."

"Yes and we'll have conference calls to go over the agenda."

"Thank you," and Carlisle walked them out. "Lunch boys. Let's go. I get shot gun."

"No fair, Bella, you're the shortest. Sorry, Emmett, suck it up."

"Fine, Bella, but I'll get even."

"Emmett, I can always get even. All I have to do is call the girls for a shopping trip."

"Alright, Bells, you win."

When we got to lunch and Edward placed his order, he excused himself and then returned shortly.

"Everything okay?" I asked as I took his hand and held it on his lap.

"Yes, just had to make a quick call to negotiate a deal."

"Edward, I really get to go on a sub," and then Emmett covered my mouth.

"Oops," I said. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. We can teach you some of our secret vocabulary to help you."

As we were headed back to the office, all of our phones went off with a text. Everyone looked but Edward. Come to my office immediately.Carlisle had sent it.

"Oh shit, what did we do now?" I asked.

Jasper and Emmett started laughing at me. "What?" I said.

"You're starting to sound like Emmett."

"Great."

So we all went jogging for Carlisle's office; Sam, Jake and Seth were already there. Carlisle said, "Conference room now."

I walked up to Carlisle as we went across the way and said, "What did my mother do now?"

He took my hand, gave me a quiet reassuring smile and said, "Nothing."

"Sit down all of you."

Emmett said, "What Carlisle did the President pull the plug on this operation?"

"No, nothing like that. My wife and a coconspirator think we all should go camping next month. She wants it to be a couple's trip. Emmett and Jasper are invited, too."

I jumped up and down and said, "Really!"

"Yes Bella. You proved your scuba diving skills and you all came back without any phone calls to us to save someone. My wife has suggested Yosemite. So we're thinking, we all take Friday off the 7th and drive up to Yosemite and then we come back Sunday afternoon. All couples get their own tent. Jasper and Emmett, you two can decide what you want to do."

I piped up and said, "Edward, can we share the tent like we did in Alaska?"

"Of course, we can't break up the three godfathers from their protectorate."

Jasper said, "Thanks, Bella."

"My wife suggested rock climbing and there are rivers, creeks and a lake."

Jasper finally said, "Carlisle, who was the coconspirator?"

Edward piped up and said, "I was because this lovely lady loves the outdoors and has been locked up in this big concrete jungle of a city. We all like to camp so Esme and I came up with the idea."

"Now we need to get back to work. Bella, can I see you and Edward in my office.

"Okay," and we went back to his office.

"Bella, will you please start making notes about everything you can about the island, security and everything your father taught you or told you about the islands. Bella, basically, I want you to walk around with a notebook and write down everything about your country for us."

I was soon sitting in a chair by his desk. Then Carlisle and Edward both walked up to me and they each had one hand and Carlisle said, "Bella, this is going to be the hardest thing I have asked you to do. But the smallest detail could make all the difference. This is going to drag up so many memories I wish there was another way. If you were my daughter, I would tell the CIA to go to hell. This isn't fair to you; but what I am asking is so that we can keep you and the group safe."

"I know Carlisle and you're right it is going to be very hard. But I will do it."

I had a couple of tears rolling down my face and Edward wiped them away and said, "I'll help you, Bella. I will hold you, rock you and help you get through it, I promise."

"Are we done, Carlisle?"

"Yes, Bella."

"Good," and then I wrapped my arms around him and said, "Thank you for taking me camping next month; I can hardly wait."

As we waited for the next month to come, we worked. I cried as I dug up my past and what I remembered about my country. Edward held me and took notes. We kissed a lot; very simple pecks and kisses, but it made me feel better. The Saturday before we left for camping; I was on the treadmill and Emmett came in and said, "Be quiet," and he slipped a note on Jasper's treadmill.

This time it was Edward, Emmett and I. The guys tried to set the pace a little slower for me, but I kept it up and stayed in front of them. I finally turned around and yelled at them, "If you two make me lose, I'll take it out on your hides. Let's go. I finished first and I had to cheer for Edward and Emmett so they didn't get caught. Jasper almost caught up in the end.

Edward walked up to him and said, "Sorry man see you later. What's up buddy?"

"Damn her ass."

"I know that is what Emmett said last time. Oh well, see you later, Jasper."

My aim was improving. After camping, we were moving my practice outside with moving targets. I was finally able to use the gun even when Edward stood there to try and distract me. After one set of rounds one day, I looked at him, smiled and said, "Not working anymore mister charmer."

Once we left the range, he took me down the hall and said, "I'm glad that while you're handling a gun, my charming skills don't work on you."

By Carlisle making me write all this stuff down, I realized how much I loved my father and how much I missed my country. A couple of nights, Edward held me on the couch and that is where we slept because I was so restless from all the memories I had drudged up.

A/N I am participating in a half marathon today. Your reviews will inspire me during the race and help me relax after the race. Enjoy your Sunday; I will after I finish my race.