DO I REALLY WANT REVENGE?
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.
All of the chapters of this story has been beta'd by the lovely dowlingnana and the chapters with mistakes are being replaced.
"Will you have all of the information you have gathered made available for me to take back to Vargia with me. That way I can look it over and see if I can come up with some ideas. In the meantime, you will keep looking?"
"Damn straight we will."
"Thanks dad. Now, I am going to enjoy the little bit of time I have to visit with you before I have to leave."
Time sped by and all had fun enjoying Edward's visit. Esme asked him to see if Isabella would allow them to visit in the near future and if so, what would, if any, the restrictions be. He promised to check and let her know. Edward had wanted to drive back to Vargia, but, was told no, he needed to fly. No reason was given other than it was the Queen's command. The royal jet was sent for him and all of his party flew home.
He had not informed anyone of the paperwork his father had given him concerning the investigation that was being conducted. He had not even pulled any of it out to look at as he felt it was unsafe for some reason. Nothing he could really put his finger on, but, just a gut instinct screaming at him full in the face. It was for sure that once he was safely back in the palace and had had time to run over all of the information he wanted to make it available to Isabella.
As the plane landed, Edward looked out the window to see Isabella standing beside the vehicles waiting. It seemed strange that she would be here to meet his plane, but, he would ask about it when they were alone. But, he was not prepared for the surprise that met him as he disembarked.
Isabella walked up to him reaching to put a hand around his neck, going up on tiptoe and gave him a kiss of welcome. She pulled back with a smile and told him welcome home. He stood there like a fool with a stunned expression on his face. Words failed him. His mind closed down, went to lunch and refused to process any thoughts.
All parties got into the cars and made the ride back to the palace with no incidents along the way.
CHAPTER 12: CATCHING A FEVER?
Though Bella had surprised Edward with that welcome kiss and he thought maybe she had decided to take a chance for them to build a relationship, nothing seemed to have changed. She still kept him at arm's length and followed her own path. But, there were times that he would unexpectedly look and she had been watching him. When that did happen he would see a look of confusion and he wondered why, but, never asked.
About two weeks after his return, he was getting antsy for an answer to his question about them trying to get closer to one another. And he decided to take matters into his own hands. He had Carmen to call the Queen's secretary and schedule a dinner appointment between the two of them. It was presented as if it was business, but, he was planning other topics that had not a damn thing to do with business or the running of the country. The answer came back that the Queen accepted the appointment for that same evening.
After that he got back to work with Carmen, looking over her suggestions for the division of the ministry into departments and the duties of each. She said it would delegate the responsibility towards productivity, but, maintains the control at the head of the ministry to oversee what was being done by each. Edward approved the idea with minimum changes and they had spent the last two weeks moving to implement the plan. Everything was coming together nicely, but, the work standard still had to be done while the new ministry was being created. Edward kept his staff on their toes at all times and a crazy, but, steady pace to keep up with the demand.
As time approached to call a halt to the end of the day and the dinner appointment neared, Edward left to get everything ready like he wanted it. It did take a little time to arrange everything and to have all in place as time sped by, but, he had it all ready. Mentally he went over the check list to make sure all was as he wanted it. Table and chairs on the balcony covered with fine linen, place settings done, lights dimmed, soft music playing in the background, dinner prepared and ready to serve, and candles lit. Yeah, all was in readiness, now he had to get dressed.
As he entered his sitting room someone knocked on the door. He walked over and answered it. Seeing Isabella standing there in a semi formal outfit, but, still appearing to be comfortable was enjoyable. He shook his head slightly while moving back out of the way, motioning for her to come in. But, when she entered the room she reached over and turned up the light while asking, "Are we having problems with the power?"
Edward chuckled and turned the lights down again. "No, but, I thought we would dine on the balcony and have a little time for getting to know one another better without the harshness."
He motioned towards the balcony showing that all was in readiness for them to begin as soon as she was seated. Pulling out her chair waiting for her to sit down, he pushed the chair in place for her to be more comfortable at the table. Walking back to a side table he removed the lids off of dinner bringing them over to the table placing one in front of Bella and the other at his place. After taking his place at the table he reached to the side and pours two glasses of wine, offering one to Bella and putting the other beside his plate.
The night was prefect, dinner was delicious, the conversation was lighthearted for a change and the company was exquisite. Things were slow and each person seemed to be relaxed and enjoying themselves. Then out of the blue everything came to an abrupt halt. Bella asked, "Edward, what is it that you wanted to discuss with me this evening? You had a dinner appointment set up, but, so far we have been dancing around any sort of topic that has to do with business."
"Actually, I do have something that I want to talk to you about, but, I didn't want to do it tonight. Tonight was to be about us as a couple. I asked you to give us a chance and you replied that you would consider it, but, nothing has been answered since I made that request nearly a month ago.
"I am not the enemy. I am the man that wants to be able to get to know the person that you are. Not, the Queen."
"You didn't think of that as ye-"she started to say as Edward grabbed her and gave her a full on passion filled kiss. He ended it just as abruptly as he began it. Taking one step back he looked down into her eyes and bent down to kiss her again. Only this time it was a lot gentler than the first one.
"I just want to get to know you and have you get to know me, not what you think you know, but, the true me the one that has deep feelings for you, Isabella. I have felt those feelings for a very long time" he whispers in her ear as his mouth moves slowly down her neck, to a spot just behind the ear, and then down lower to where her neck and shoulder join; nipping, licking, sucking and kissing all the way down. He smiles as he hears her breath hitch as he hits the spot behind the ear and then on the collarbone and neck.
"Give us a chance, Isabella. Please?"
He moves away from her slightly, but, still holding her. She slowly opens her eyes looking up at him without saying a word. Tilting her head to one side she continues to look at him. Then lifting her fingers to her lips she begins to smile. As the smile grows wider, she nods her head, "All right. We will try, but, I am not fully trustful of you. Your actions that forced our marriage are going to be your biggest stumbling block where I am concerned, but, I am willing to let you try and to give you the chance. Don't make me regret this because you will not get another.
"Is there anything else that you want to discuss that is businesswise, or, not?"
"No, Just the 'us' factor which you weren't giving a chance." He says. She nods while reaching over to the table to get her wine glass for a sip.
They walk back inside as a cool breeze begins to blow across the balcony. It has a slight chill to it as if to warn of unseen danger and possible disaster, the desperation and heart rending hurt that was possible if they are not watchful and on alert for the first signs when they begin to show up.
"There is something that I do want you to see, but, tonight is not the time for that. Is there some way that you can meet me tomorrow and we go for a short drive?"
"Yes. I'll make time tomorrow afternoon around two. Will that work with your schedule?"
"Definitely," he answers.
"Okay. Well, I need to go as I do have some work that needs to be finished tonight for a meeting I have tomorrow morning with some of my advisors." She remarks while walking to the door. Once there she pauses, looks back over her shoulder and asks, "Can you make yourself available at nine in the morning to meet with us in my office?" He answers yes, at which she turns back to the door and leaves telling him at the same time that she did enjoy the evening.
Bella heads towards her apartments with a small smile still on her face. She thinks back over the entire evening and finds that she is looking forward to another possible evening with him.
And Edward was feeling a sense of happiness due to the fact that she accepted his offer to give him a chance and that she is willing to try.
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"We need to meet with King Carlisle. I think that he would be in a better position to help us than anyone else."
"I agree, but, how can we communicate with him without anyone finding out?"
"I'm still working on that factor."
"Well, hurry, because we can't continue on this way. Something is going to have to be done before everyone loses."
"I know. The signs are already there and it is becoming harder and harder to reverse the efforts all of this is having upon everyone's opinion of us."
A/N: Well, Edward was able to have some quiet time with Bella and get her to agree to them getting to know each other better. Why does he want to take her for a drive? And, what is the information that he is wanting discuss with her?
Why does Bella want him to meet her the next morning?
Some information was gathered, but, will it be enough to lead to more? Will it eventually lead to who is behind all of this? What exactly is Noragia doing to try and stop the problem? What action is going to be taken against Noragia? And who is calling all of the shots from that country? And why are they so interested in having all of the control?
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