Disclaimer: I just write fanfics! These characters aren't mine! They are Stephenie Meyer's.
N/A: Hello! This is a short chapter, I know. But I have this awful flu, so I can't sit and type during long periods. I'll write more on Sunday, so, you won't have to wait too much longer, okay?
Enjoy!
Chapter 11
Stricken
"That I am stricken and can't let you go
When the heart is cold, there's no hope, and we know
That I am crippled by all that you've done
Into the abyss will I run"
Disturbed - Stricken
"I'll take my chances." Said Jacob, taking a step forward.
Edward started pulling me away and muttered to me.
"Bella, get my car and go home, I'll be there later."
Shoot! Is Edward high or something? He's supposed to be the voice of reason! We are in front of the freaking police station and the crime lab! This place is filled with cops! They can't start throwing punches here. We are all going to be put in jail! Again!
No, no, no!
I just grabbed, stubbornly, his shirt, refusing to be put aside. "What? No way I'm going home while you start fighting with him here!" I squeaked, hysterically. "Edward, this is stupid!"
He shot me an exasperated glance, "Bella, this is not the right time for you be difficult. Please, do as I say."
Instead of answering or even picking up the car keys he was offering me, I decided on changing my tactic; I turned and looked at Jacob.
"Is this the way you want me back? Struggling with my boyfriend like a caveman? Do you think I'll forgive you for this? Be reasonable, Jacob! This is the stupidest thing you've ever done!"
Jacob froze, "Oh, hold on a second. Is this your boyfriend?" he asked, livid, "I can't believe this! How long has this been happening?"
I was livid. How dare he?
"Not longer than your quickie in the bathroom, I suppose!" I snarled, above Edward's shoulder, because he was shoving me to the car. Jacob cringed. But I didn't care. My father's words were drawn in my brain.
"Jake is a young guy, Bells. He has some… needs."
Seeing Jake here was a reminding of my failure. Deep down, I blamed my self for his betrayal. I failed with Edward and failed with Jacob, too. But, somehow, I didn't want to accept less just because I felt guilty.
Jacob was about to say something, but Edward interrupted. "Are you done with your little show? Because I'm taking Bella home."
"Her home is in Seattle, with me." Growled Jacob, his face was pale, but he was still composed. "We are going to get married. You have no right stepping in."
"Sorry, pal." Said Edward with a smirk, "You lost her and I'm not giving her back to you. She's mine. And, if you are fighting for her, I'll be too. And I don't play fair." (A/N: I know it's similar to Eclipse, but I couldn't come up with anything better. Edward is probably the most difficult character to write about it.)
"Good. Because I'm in." said Jake, smugly and a smiled spread on his face "You'll see, Bella. I'll get you back and we'll get married as we planned. You'll realize, I'm the one you want."
Excuse me? He must be kidding me!
I was about to climb on Edward's back and show Jacob my middle finger, when I looked around. It was New York, for god's sake! There were tons of people in the street. Cops and civilians, technicians and people selling hot dog in the street. Some simply ignored us. People arguing in the middle of the street it was like another regular day, but others were staring at us, probably thinking we were actors or something. Jessica Stanley, the day receptionist, seemed to be overworking her little brain on memorizing each expression and every word we were saying, probably to spread to the whole department. By lunch tomorrow, everyone was going to know about my personal life. Great, this day can't get any better. First Lauren and now Jacob.
But, apparently, the bad luck wave didn't seem to have finished yet because I had just spotted my boss, Jordan, climbing down the front stairs of the building quickly. His shaved head shining under the light of the street and his expressive eyebrows were furrowed. He was a difficult man to deal with, but I liked him already. He was demanding, correct and meticulous. Above of all, a man of science, just like Lincoln Rhyme and Gil Grisson.
It seems I'll not be working for much him longer, right?
"Are you CSI Black?" he asked directly to Jacob.
"Yes."
"Good, I'm Tenant Connelly. Would you mind telling why a box of evidence is in the middle of the street? Are you stupid or just incompetent?"
I widened my eyes when I heard this and Edward seemed surprised too, because he stopped pushing me to the car. For the first time, I noticed Jake's clothes. His suit was all messy and he had deep dark circles around his eyes. Even his black hair, usually so shiny was just pulled in a low, oily, ponytail. I almost felt sorry for him.
Jacob at least had the decency to look ashamed.
"I'm sorry, Your Tenant. I was talking to a friend." He looked at me and I, childishly, looked away and folded my arms. Wait a minute. What had Connelly meant with "box of evidence"? He is not staying here! Is he?
Jordan just put his hands on his hips.
"I don't care what you were doing, kid. I'll just warn you once. If you blow up with my case, I'll blow up with your career. Are we clear?"
I almost heard Jacob swelling. "Perfectly." He muttered. He seemed displeased, but he knew he couldn't answer back.
"Good, let's get back to work. And, Swan?" I almost jumped when he said my name. I thought he didn't even notice me here.
"Yes, Tenant?"
He smiled at me and his white teeth shone brightly against his dark skin.
"Good work today. See you tomorrow at 8?"
I couldn't help to smile. "Yes, sir. I'll be here."
He nodded quickly at Edward and followed Jacob back to the building. Edward and I sighed, relieved.
I turned to look at Edward and I didn't have to say anything. We just got into the car and went back home.
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We arrived home and found Alice spread on the couch of the family room, eating ice cream from the pot. I frown that was so… unusual. Alice took her eyes off the TV and raised an eyebrow.
"Hey! I thought you guys were going out in a date."
Edward smirked. "We had a little change on our plans. I'll take a shower, girls."
When he left, Alice quickly patted the place beside her. I knew her perfectly well that resisting was useless, so I did what she asked.
"What change of plans?"
I sighed. "Jacob, the Jerk showed up and-" I told her what happened. He listened to me without interruptions, chewing the ice cream. My mouth started watering and I grabbed a cookie that she had left on the coffee table and passed in the ice cream, taking a bite.
Alice remained silent for a couple of seconds, and then she said:
"This Jacob is an idiot. " I smirked at her. You've got to love Alice, "No, no. I knew he was going to show up sooner or later, because, come on! You heard what Charlie said. He probably thinks his quickie in the bathroom wasn't a big deal." she rolled her eyes, and then she snorted. "But starting a fight in front of the whole NYPD was ridiculous. That boy needs a prize or something."
I laughed with her, feeling much better. "So, why are you here? Because I thought you said you had some chocolate store to go to?" To my surprise, her face fell. Like a turned off lamp.
"Yeah, but something happened." she laughed, half hearted. "Jasper dumped me. I asked him out and he said no, as if I was Medusa." She shrugged.
I finished chewing the cookie. "What?"
"And then I kissed him." I gasped in surprise and she patted my back while I coughed. "And said to him; well, this is what you just dismissed."
I looked at her in awe. I had too. I would ever have the guts of asking a guy out and then kiss him like that.
"I'm impressed!" I said. "And now what? Is he coming to the dinner on Sunday?"
She sighed. "I don't know, Bella… I kind of don't want to see him. I feel like crap. The guy looked at me as if going out on a date with me was absurd."
"Oh, Alice." She seemed so sad, "You liked his guy."
"Yeah." She shrugged, "It doesn't mean it was meant to be. Maybe this is for the best."
An idea crossed my mind and I felt a wicked smile spreading on my face. I bit my lip.
"Well, Alice. It seems you caused quite an impression on him, right?"
She raised her eyebrows. "Yeah."
"So… if was me. I'd like to see the bastard suffer. First handed. You know what I mean?"
An equally evil smiled showed on her face. "Yeah, I guess do. You are a bad girl, Miss Swan."
I leaned on the couch and took another cookie. "Yes, Alice. I guess I am."
Two hour and a House MD mini Marathon later, I found Edward in his room, working on one of his pieces. I sat a tray next to him, where rested a plate with cookies and a cup of milk.
"Hi. I thought you might be hungry."
He looked up and grinned at me. "Thanks, Bella." He put his arm wound my waist and I rested my chin on his soft and scented hair. I kissed the top of his head and sat on his lap.
"So, do you mind telling me why are you hiding here since we got back?" he stroked my hair and sighed,
"Sorry, Bella. I just thought you didn't want the sticking boyfriend after what happened. I have so many questions, but I thought you needed some space. So I decided staying here and when you'd be ready, you would come." He smiled "But if it took any longer, I confess I'd have snuck in your room again."
I giggled, blushing a bit. It was scary how he knew me. He knew that I needed to talk to someone not so involved on the whole Jacob story and he, willing, gave me the space I needed. I kissed him in the cheek.
"I'm ready now and," he opened his mouth to say and I was sure he was going to start some nice speech of how he was going to let me decide, blah, blah, blah. So, I put my finger on his lips. "I'm not leaving you, silly. I'm not going back in my word. No matter what Jacob says."
I finished my little speech and saw him grinning behind my fingers. He raised an eyebrow.
"Can I speak now?"
I blushed a bit and nodded.
"So, as I was saying," he continued and I rolled my eyes at him. 'I'm not giving in, Bella. Not this time. Because I know how it felt without you."
He looked so sad, that I had to put my arms on his neck and pulled him closer. I could feel the comfort of his warm arms.
"I know," I said and my voice broke. "I don't want to be without you, too."
I felt his smile on my neck. "That is really good news."
I pulled away from him and asked something that was bothering me.
"Tell me, Edward, were you really going to punch him in front of the lab?"
He grinned at me. "You'll never know!"
"What?" I said and I glared at him, and he just laughed, "You can't do this to me! Gosh, you are even more wicked than Alice!"
"I know!" he beamed, laughing even more. We kept up this way until the sleeping time, when I just cradled in his arms and knew that everything was going to be okay.
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N/A: See you on the next chapter! Please, review!