A/N: I only hang out with good looking people, so I have it on good authority that this story has the best looking readers around. Jacob. Thanks for your continued help and support. You're all adorable.
One of my favorite fan fic friends is named Lucy. She has an accent. I can't wait to meet her in real life. I generally believe I am the funniest person I know, but I think she could give me a run for my money. (Lucy – that was the nicest compliment I have ever given anyone in the history of the world). Jacob.
Thanks to Twike, Profmom, and Everwondering. I'll remember you when I make it big.
Daisy xoxoxoxo
This chapter's a big one. Proceed with caution. Jacob.
Controlled Burn Chapter 12
I woke up late the next morning. It was practically afternoon already. My body must have needed the rest. I didn't bother changing out of what I slept in, and my hair was flying every which way. I needed coffee to help me think straight.
I stumbled into the kitchen heading straight for the coffee pot. Bella and Crowley were sitting at the kitchen table. He was telling her a story, and she seemed enraptured with it. She was turned toward him, leaning forward, and resting one elbow on the table. Her mouth was hanging open as he talked.
"Morning," I interrupted.
"Hey," they both said without even looking up at me. Crowley just kept talking, and Bella just kept listening. I didn't like the look on either of their faces.
I got my coffee and sat at the table across from Bella. I watched her watch Crowley. He was going on and on about how he single handedly took down a terrorist plot at the Space Needle last summer. I wondered what Emmett would have to say about Crowley's story. If I remembered correctly Crowley came close to getting us all killed. I couldn't stand the guy then, but right now I despised him.
"Hey Crowley, your shift is almost over. Shouldn't you be working on your logs?" I asked.
"Oh wow, look at the time. I guess it goes by quickly when you're having fun." He smiled at Bella.
I saw her glance over at me quickly, and then turned back to Crowley. "It was fun. We'll have to do it again," she smiled. What was she doing? Crowley was going to completely misread that look she was giving him.
"I've got the front half of the house tonight. I'll be back around midnight if you want to find me in the entry way and talk some more."
"I'd like that," Bella said still holding his gaze.
I was about to be sick. Of all the people Bella could do this with, why did she have to pick Tyler Crowley? He was arrogant, obnoxious, and he irritated me. There was no way he was good enough for my Bella. She was everything he wasn't – smart, beautiful, kind, humble. She deserved someone who recognized how wonderful she was. From what I could tell, all Crowley recognized was that she was wearing an incredibly tight shirt and that she was willing to listen to him go on and on about nothing. She was probably the first woman in a long time who listened to him for that long.
That's when it hit me. Bella was someone who gave constantly. Her entire life had been about other people – making sure they're happy. It was time someone did something for her.
Bella and Crowley made goo goo eyes at each other for a few more seconds, before Crowley went back to his post.
"Nice hair," she giggled when she finally looked at me.
"You like it?" I wiggled my eyebrows at her.
"It's interesting." She reached up and tried to tame it for me, but we both knew it was impossible.
"Would you like something for breakfast… err lunch now I guess?"
"You only have a couple more days to study. Why don't you let me make you something?"
"Are you sure?" She looked at me like I'd lost my mind. "What happened to traditional gender roles?"
"Exactly my point – you should be treated like a princess." I tried to show with my expression that I was completely serious. She blushed and looked away.
"Why don't you go take it easy on the couch, and I'll make us some sandwiches," I suggested.
"Who are you, and what have you done with my Edward?"
I shooed her off to the living room and got to work on the sandwiches. I liked the sound of that – my Edward. Maybe… No. I wouldn't let myself go there. As fond as I'd grown of Bella, it just wouldn't work. It couldn't work. I would just be setting both of us up for pain and disappointment.
Before I brought Bella her lunch, I made a couple of phone calls to Alice and Emmett. I usually knew just the right things to say to get what I wanted from Alice. She was all for my first idea, but refused to reassign Crowley or request that he be transferred to Alaska. Oh well, it was worth asking. Emmett agreed to my plan immediately for only a small price and went on to describe more of his and Rose's sexcapades to me. He was doing me a huge favor, so I didn't want to be rude and cut him off or hang up on him, but the conversation was painful to endure.
With my plans in place, I brought Bella her lunch. She was reclining on the couch with her face in a book. She sat up to eat, and I sat down next to her. She rubbed the back of her neck like she felt sore, so I motioned for her to turn around. I massaged her shoulders, and she rewarded me with some appreciative moans and a comment about my strong hands. Oh yeah. I was that good.
Bella continued studying, and I continued studying her. I would bring her a glass of water or coffee every once in a while, offer to go over flash cards with her, or just give her peace and quiet when she needed it.
That afternoon Emmett stopped by with a bag of Bella's clothes. As sad as I was to say goodbye to the skirts, she really wasn't comfortable.
"Emmett! Thank you! How did you know I was dying here?" she squealed when she opened the bag and then ran to hug Emmett.
"Edward called me and offered to let me borrow his boat next month if I brought these to you," he laughed and hugged her back.
"Thank you, friend!" She hugged me, but I noticed it wasn't as enthusiastic as Emmett's hug. She bolted out of the room with the bag to go change. Emmett and I talked for a few minutes, and I gave him more instructions for Friday night along with the lists I'd made.
I continued pampering Bella, and I didn't fail to notice that she didn't bother to hang out with Crowley when his shift started. She was perfectly happy watching movies with me.
The next morning I brought her breakfast in bed, but she was already sitting on top of the comforter studying.
"Come in," she answered as I knocked on her door.
I walked in carrying the eggs, toast, and bacon I'd prepared with a little help from agent Keown. "Good morning, Dr. Swan. I have some breakfast for you."
Bella dropped her papers she was holding and clapped in excitement. "Oh my goodness, I've always wanted someone to bring me breakfast in bed! How did you know?"
"Bella, I told you I work for the FBI. I know a lot about you." I winked and Bella giggled. I set the tray in front of her and sat down next to her on the bed. She sighed happily as she took a bite of bacon. I watched her eating and had the urge to touch her. Before I could tell myself not to, I reached up and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Bell looked over at me. I met her gaze and smiled. Bella let out another sigh, but this time she looked frustrated. She put the food down and turned her body so she was facing me on the bed.
"Edward, why are you doing all this? I don't understand," she asked, her voice almost pleading.
"I'm doing this because you deserve it. You're the most amazing woman I've ever known, and you do so much for everyone else that you deserve to be taken care of for a change."
"Pshaw. I don't know about most amazing." She rolled her eyes but was smiling again. I loved that she had that look on her face because of me.
"Don't sell yourself short Bella. You have no idea how beautiful and smart and even sexy you are."
Bella turned back around and started eating. She was clearly embarrassed by my words, but I didn't care. They were the truth, and I liked it when she turned that shade of perfect pink. She finished eating, leaned back, and put her head on my shoulder. We sat there on her bed for a long time talking about this crazy predicament we were in.
"It's crazy that one day I was minding my own business working in the hospital and doing everything possible to avoid Dr. Newton, and now I'm here with you hiding out from some killers."
"I'm so sorry I got you into this mess," I groaned.
"Are you kidding! This whole thing is totally awesome! How many people get to say they spent their vacation in an FBI safe house? I'm going to have much more interesting stories to tell at parties now."
I laughed and shook my head. "Oh Bella, you never say what I expect, and it's my job to know what to expect from people."
Operation Spoil Bella was in full effect for the rest of the day. I made her stop studying at dinner time and convinced her to watch TV and relax before going to bed early. Alice arranged for an agent to pick her up and take her to her test in the morning.
I woke up that morning at five and couldn't go back to sleep. I made coffee and beat some eggs to scramble. Then I thought eggs might be too heavy so I made another batch of just egg whites. Finally, I worried that all the protein might be in the yolks, so I made a third batch of eggs with four whites and two yolks. Bella could choose which would make the best brain food. I cut up a cantaloupe for her, and then I paced around the kitchen wondering if she should be awake yet. Finally at six I went in to her room and woke her up. She was sleeping face down on her pillow and I thought I could see the smallest puddle of drool. She was so adorable that I hated to wake her.
"Bella love, it's time to get up. You have to take your test," I gently shook her shoulder.
"WHAT? WHAT TIME IS IT? DID I OVERSLEEP?" she panicked.
"It's six. I wasn't sure what time you wanted up."
"Eeeeedwarrrrrrrd! How long do you think it takes me to get ready? I could have gotten at least another hour of sleep!"
Was she serious? It took ME that long to get ready. I mean I did have incredible hair that required more time than most, but still. Alice needed at least two hours. Could Bella get any cooler?
"I'm sorry. I'm just anxious about the test. I made you breakfast. Do you want it in bed?" I sat down on the bed and scratched her back gently.
"No, I'll get up. Just keep doing that for a minute."
I smiled. I loved doing anything that made Bella feel good. She finally got up, and I pulled her by the hand into the kitchen, sat her down at the table, and served her breakfast. She was astonished at my explanation of the various egg offerings. I was astonished when she ate all three.
After she ate, she took a shower and got dressed. My breath hitched in my throat when she came out of her room wearing my sweatshirt. She had her own with her now, but she still chose to wear mine. My heart swelled, and I felt like she was taking a part of me with her on this important day.
It was only 6:50 by the time she was completely ready. We sat on the couch and there was nervous tension in the air. She got out her flashcards but threw them down a few minutes later.
We continued to sit there as the minutes slowly passed by. I kept shaking my leg, and she kept putting her hand on my knee so I would stop annoying her.
"Edward, geez, I think you're more nervous than I am," she groaned finally.
"I can't help it. You've worked so hard for this, and you deserve to do well. I know you'll do well." I think I was starting to hyperventilate a little bit.
"Calm down. I'll be fine. I'm ready for this."
"Yeah, and if you don't do well, you can just retake it."
Bella glared at me. Oops. "I mean of course you'll do well. I'm an idiot." I dropped my head into my hands.
"I'll die if I don't get a high score. It's already bad enough having my dad telling me I don't need to do this, and my mom trying to convince me to go into herbology instead. I have to prove them wrong. I need to prove them wrong."
"Bella Swan," I tilted her chin toward me to look her in the eyes, "You were born for this. Do you understand me? You are meant to be a doctor, and you will be a good one. Don't believe anyone who tells you anything else."
Bella's eyes filled with tears, and she just shook her head in acceptance of my words. I hated the people who made her feel anything less than admired for her dreams. I only wished I were some sort of artist or writer or poet so I could try to show her just how spectacular she truly was.
Finally, Alice and Agent Duntley arrived to transport her to the test. I could hear Bella already griping about what Alice did with her clothes as they climbed in car. Poor Bella was in for a losing fight.
Alice planned to stay with Bella all day to ensure her safety. She made arrangements for them to monitor Bella from inside the test center. I laughed when I thought about how seriously the students would take the no cheating rules with the FBI present.
Thankfully I had plenty to do in the hours Bella would be gone, or I would have gone crazy worrying about her and how she was doing on the test.
Emmett arrived with the supplies, and we unloaded everything from his jeep and started setting up. Since we couldn't go out to celebrate her test being over, I decided to bring the celebration in. Emmett got candles, table clothes, white Christmas lights, and even some pictures of the Italian countryside to hang up around the room. After he went home to get Rosalie that afternoon, they would stop and pick up the food from Lombardo's. All we needed was a wait staff, but after Bella's little encounter with Crowley, I decided we could just serve ourselves.
I worked most of the day to make everything perfect, and I baked my mom's brownies for dessert. Jasper would be impressed. I was pretty sure no FBI safe house had ever been transformed into a replica of Lombardo's, but it looked pretty amazing by the time we got done setting up. I just hoped Bella loved this surprise as much as I thought she would.
Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper arrived with the food around five. Bella would be back any minute. I was excited and nervous to see her. I didn't know what I'd do if she felt the test had gone badly. I couldn't bear the thought of seeing her disappointed.
She and Alice pulled into the garage right on schedule. Bella came walking into the house and froze. "What's all this?" she asked in awe.
"We promised we'd go to Lombardo's to celebrate," I said. "This was as close as I could get to keeping my promise."
We had another one of those moments when we stared at each other for a little too long, until Rosalie barked, "Good grief Bella, tell us how the test went."
"Oh that," she looked down at the ground and frowned. My heart stopped. "I think I did really well!" She looked up and her eyes were happy.
We all let out the breath we'd been holding. Rosalie punched her then grabbed her and hugged her. Emmett hugged her next, followed by Jasper. It was my turn in the receiving line, and I whispered in her ear as I hugged her, "I knew you'd make me proud, Dr. Swan."
When I let go of her, Bella wiped a few stray tears off her face and smiled at me. "Come on, let's enjoy our evening." I took her by the hand ready to lead her into the dining room, but Alice stopped me.
The rest of us were all dressed up fairly nice, so Alice insisted that Bella go with her into the bedroom and change into something she deemed appropriate for the occasion. Bella rolled her eyes, but acquiesced. She was learning not to bet against Alice.
The rest of us sat at the table and waited… and waited… and waited. What happened to my Bella that only took a few minutes to get ready? Did she not realize I was stuck in an enclosed place with Rosalie and had nowhere to run?
Finally, we heard the bedroom door open. Jasper, always the Southern gentleman suck up, stood when the ladies entered the room. I didn't want to seem like a douche, so I stood too. I nearly fell down and fainted when I saw Bella. She wore a blue dress that hit just above the knee. It was sleeveless and had a tasteful v-neck. Her hair was done up in a style that looked messy but elegant at the same time, and she was wearing make-up she didn't need. The vision before me literally took my breath away. I took a few steps closing the distance between us and held out my hand to her. She took it, and I led her to her chair. I pulled it out for her and she sat down. She blushed the entire time, but I couldn't take my eyes off her. Alice had outdone herself, and I could tell by the smug look on her face that she knew it.
"Doesn't she look pretty, Edward?" Alice asked.
I wasn't in the mood for her games, but I answered honestly, "She's breathtaking."
We passed the food around family style. Emmett and Alice took charge of most of the conversation. I spent most of my time staring at Bella. Rosalie glared at me and holding her knife like she planned to stab me. The thought that she might be working for James crossed my mind once or twice.
"Edward, why don't you make a toast?" Alice asked as Jasper filled our wine glasses.
"To Bella, the most selfless, flawless, and truly amazing woman I have ever known. May you have all the love and happiness you deserve," I toasted.
We raised our glasses and drank to Bella. She put her glass down, and looked at me in a way I hadn't noticed before. I immediately grew a lump in my throat and an ache in my chest. I didn't want her to look at me like that, but I wanted it too.
"So do you guys want to watch a movie when we're done eating?" Alice asked.
"Oh great," Rosalie complained, "We're going to end up watching one of Bella's FBI movies again aren't we? The only thing worse than watching an FBI movie with Bella, is going to be watching an FBI movie with Bella and a bunch of FBI agents."
"So those are your movies?" I eyed Bella suspiciously. Her face looked like a fire engine, and she ignored me suddenly becoming engrossed in her garlic bread.
"Are you kidding? Bella's had a thing for FBI agents since she was in junior high. There's nothing like a man wielding a loaded firearm to get her all hot and bothered," Rosalie chuckled.
"Well that explains a lot," Emmett winked at Bella, and everyone laughed, everyone but Bella that is.
"I need to get some air." She quickly ran out the back door onto the patio.
I followed her with my eyes and worried she wasn't feeling well or that the stress of the test and hiding out had been too much for her. When I turned back to the table, four pairs of eyes were glaring at me.
"What?" I asked defensively.
"Go after her, you idiot," Alice said.
"You really think I should?" I asked.
"Yes," the four of them all answered together.
I got up to join Bella outside. I walked out the door and noticed how clear the sky was. We were far enough out that you could see the stars without the glare of the city lights. My eyes finally found Bella. She was seated on the glider bench with her face buried in her hands. She was crying.
"Bella, what's wrong?" I sat beside her and started rubbing her back. "If the test didn't go well, you can take it again."
"It's not the test," she sobbed.
"What is it then, love?" I asked confused. I didn't want to see my Bella cry.
"It's you. You're confusing me. You've been sending me mixed signals since the day we met."
"I don't understand," I said.
"What is it, love? I just want you. You're so beautiful. You should be treated like a princess. You're the one good person I know. And that's just a few of the things you've said, not to mention all the hand holding and cuddling and the way you look at me on odd numbered days. But, every other day you're calling me your buddy and asking out sluts in coffee shops. You're making me crazy!"
She stood and walked to the edge of the patio turning her back to me. I stood there staring at her in shock. I had no idea Bella had been thinking of me like that or that I'd been leading her on. I could see it now. I must have confused her, because if I were honest, I'd been confusing myself too.
Now, standing here in the moonlight, with her wearing that dress and crying because she wanted me to make it clear if I wanted her or not, I felt that I owed her the truth.
"So you've got a thing for FBI agents?"
"Shut up," she replied.
"Bella," I pleaded and closed the distance between us. She turned toward me, and I moved one hand behind her neck pulling her closer. I took one last look into the only thing I ever wanted to see before I closed my eyes and met her lips with mine. She moved her hands to my neck eliminating the remaining distance between our bodies as she moved in tighter. Her lips were soft and sweet against mine, and she tasted like lasagna and merlot. I'd kissed women before, but it was never like this. It was never perfection. It was never everything I'd always wanted wrapped up in one moment that I never wanted to end. My head flooded with emotions my body filled with desire. There were no awkward nose bumps or timid testing of the waters. We worked perfectly in sync with one another, our movements more instinctual than premeditated.
I felt Bella sigh into my mouth. The sound was endearing and also enough to wake me up from my lust induced blunder.
I pulled back and gasped for air. Bella opened her eyes, bit her bottom lip, smiled.
She was looking at me like I'd hung the moon.
What had I done?
"Bella, I'm so sorry. I'm messing everything up. I shouldn't have done that." I pinched the bridge of my nose.
She opened her eyes and looked at me like I'd just ripped her heart out and pissed on it. She reached up her arms, shoved me hard out of her way, and ran inside.
"Wait! I'm sorry." In desperation I ran after her, but she'd already stormed off into her room and slammed the door. I felt something burning a hole in the back of my head and turned around slowly once again finding four pairs of eyes glaring at me like I'd just caught the fly ball that wasn't really out at Wrigley Field.
A/N: OME! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!!! Will Edward fix it before Rose castrates him? There are only three chapters left after this and then an epilogue. I'll be sad to stop spending this time with you, but let's get fired up for my FOR THE LOVE OF JASPER CONTEST ONE SHOT!!! (sorry my parents were in Amway when I was a kid)! I'll be posting it soon. So go ahead and hit the Author Alert. I need you to do three things 1. Review this chapter so I can release you from your Jacob howling hypnosis – it's the only way to be free. 2. When I post my one shot read it and review it. 3. When the voting opens for that contest go back and vote for me. You might have guessed from my review begging that I'm performance oriented and competitive. I need to win this competition. I'm trying to write a story that's GOOD ENOUGH to win – but regardless – help me out. I love you. There I said it. I love you. Love is a verb. Do you love me too?