WetDishRag - This is yours...

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my thoughts, it all belongs to Stephanie.

"Bella! The phone's for you."

Leave it to Alice to bellow across the house rather then just bringing me the phone. I walked into the living room, wondering who in the world would be calling me on the house phone at this hour, especially on a Sunday evening. There were only a handful of people that even had the number. Alice was looking at me with an 'I told you so grin' on her face as she handed me the phone.

"What? What's that look for?"

Alice smirked. "Serves you right not telling your daddy. Bella, what's wrong with you?? I thought you told them!" Her tone was anything but pleasant. I felt like I was a child being told by my mother how disappointed she was. I shrugged, a silent gesture, saying 'what was he gonna do?'

Putting the phone to my ear I steeled myself for onslaught of my father, Chief Swan.

"Hi Daddy!" I faked enthusiasm, hoping to set the tone light. It didn't work.

"Isabella Marie Swan! Why in God's name am I finding out from someone else that someone has been terrorizing you?"

Shit! Shit! How did he find out?

"Well I didn't think it was that big of a deal...I mean, it happens all the time right?" I knew it was going to be a failed attempt at placating him but I at least had to try.

"That's a lousy excuse, Bella. What were you thinking? You should have told me Bella. Dammit." I could hear the frustration in his voice and knew he was pacing. It was something I had seen him do so many times while I was living at home.

"You know, Dad, I CAN take care of myself." I was trying to play it off; the question was, was he buying it? I heard him suck in a breath and cringed, obviously he had not.

"Bella, this has nothing to do with you not being able to take care of yourself. But it has everything to do with you being safe! And when I get a call from my friend at the station telling me he ran across a half-assed filed report about a break in that was called into your home, I have to wonder, what's really going on?" He let out a sigh in frustration.

I really needed to fix this. I hated upsetting my parents, my father especially. Now my mother, she got upset over a hang nail; her reaction was always inevitable. But my father? That was another story.

"Would you please tell me what's going on?" His voice was softer; he was attempting to calm down and I knew this was not always the best thing.

I started at the beginning telling him of the office break in, Jam fest, even James and my car before updating him on the break in to my home. He remained silent through the entire recount, only his heavy breathing and sporadic grunts telling me he was still listening. I left nothing out, knowing if I did and he found out about it later he would just get angry and disappointed.

I finished with my recount of events, patiently waiting for my father to say something. The silence was killing me, I knew without a doubt he was extremely angry. "Daddy, would you say something please?"

"Bella, just give me a minute. I'm thinking." After a minute or two my father continued. "Who exactly is Edward, Bella?" I knew this would be coming and in all honesty I had planned on telling my parents about Edward but with everything that had been happening, it had not exactly been on the top of my list. I was just trying to be normal again, have a normal regular life and job with a normal regular guy. Setting aside the fact the Edward was far from normal, he was the exception to the rule. Or maybe he was normal and I just was not sure what normal was anymore.

"Edward and I are seeing each other Daddy. We have been dating for a couple months now." Okay so maybe not officially dating, more like skirting around wanting each other, at least up until a few weeks ago.

"Do you trust him?" His voice was not accusing, more like curious. This was not the conversation I was expecting to have and I wondered where he was going with it.

"Of course I do! Edward is wonderful. You don't think that-he would never do anything like this. Edward is a very good man Daddy and treats me so much better than James ever did. Please trust me on this. As soon as you meet him, you'll see." I couldn't blame him for what he was thinking - after all, I had kept him in the dark about everything - but I couldn't help but feel a little offended at the assumption.

"Oh good then! So you wouldn't be opposed to bringing him home for spring break?" The tone in his voice did not suggest that it was a request.

"I-Edward works Daddy, I don't even know if he could take off."

"Then you won't mind if I run a background check on him?"

"Don't you dare! Let me talk to him, I promise we can work something out. Maybe a long weekend or something, okay?" Like my words would help. As soon as he got off the phone with me I was willing to bet the first thing he would do was a background check. I groaned internally, so much for privacy and taking care of myself.

"I better have a call before tomorrow evening, Bells. And then we're going to talk about the rest of this mess and what we are going to take steps in preventing any further altercations."

"Fine, but just so you know, I haven't been sitting around doing nothing about it. Edward had a security system installed and we hired a PI. The problem is the police department: no one is doing anything and I keep getting stuck with James' cronies as the responding officers, so things slide under the table."

"You should have called me, Bella. I could have helped."

I Know, I just...I wanted to do this on my own, to take care of myself. It was important that I try. You understand that right? I was under James' thumb for so long and I really needed to be able to make my own decisions and figure out my own problem. He never let me."

"I do understand Bells and you did the best you could. But it's not working so please, let me help you now, okay? You know I'm just worried about you, right? I just want you safe. I don't know what I would do if I lost you Bells."

I let out a long sigh. "I know Daddy and I love you too."

Turning I hung up the phone and noticed Alice still standing behind me. "Nosy little elf," I growled.

"Face it Bella, now that Mr. C is involved maybe something will get resolved."

"Maybe, but I'm still gonna make some calls. There has to be something else I can do. They can't keep ignoring me. I think I'm going to take Edward's advice and take the lawyer up there with me. Demand that someone else look into the break in and my car vandalism. There is such a conflict of interest with Jared and Victoria and I know I'm not getting a fair shot."

"Wow Bella, I'm impressed!"

"There's one other thing..."

"Oh no, I recognize that tone." Alice laughed. "It's the same tone you used to have when we were growing up and Charlie caught us being up to no good."

"You're close. He wants me to bring Edward out to meet them and I don't mean at my leisure. If I don't take him out there and soon he's going to pack up and come here."

"Seriously??" Alice asked, half laughing

"Oh hell yes he would. Alice?!! What am I supposed to do??"

"You're supposed to go-BUT I have an idea. How would you feel about making it a group trip? I haven't been home in forever and no one has met Jazz yet. Do you think Charlie would mind?"

"Alice! .brilliant. It's perfect!! But..." I sighed; there was no way Edward would be able to go. He had such a crazy schedule as it was, with all the events and then early hours.

"But what Bella?"

"I just don't see how Edward could get away. You know how odd his schedule can be. This would have to be planned way in advance, not an off the cuff weekend getaway."

"Bella, how blind are you exactly?"

"Huh?"

"I said, how blind are you? Can you not see that that man would do anything for you? Just ask him okay? See what he says."

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"You really want to take me home with you?" Edward enveloped me in a tight embrace. "My God Bella I would love to meet your parents, see where you grew up, all of it! When do we go?"

"Seriously? Don't you have to check your schedule?" I was excited and nervous all at the same time. I wanted Edward to meet my parents. He was someone I was proud of and I needed them to see I wasn't making another mistake. I wanted them to love him as much as I did.

Edward released me and sat down on the bar stool next to him. "I do have a few things that can't be moved but we can work around them. Did you have a specific weekend in mind?"

"Actually, I was thinking I could go up early, the week after next, maybe on Wednesday or Thursday and you could meet me up there on Friday? Would that be too much trouble? Alice is going up with Jasper too, so you could ride with them if you don't mind." Edward was quiet for a moment before answering.

"I don't think I have anything going on that weekend but let me double check my schedule okay? I smiled, suddenly excited at the prospect of taking him home. "And I'd love to ride up with Alice and Jasper. Then I could ride home with you, alone..." Edward wiggled his eyebrows as he lunged from the stool at me in a dramatic gesture, bending me backward and kissing my neck. I giggled at his playfulness.

"Ahem, I don't mean to interrupt."

"Oh! Jake. Sorry, we were umm..."

"We were making out, Bella; there's no sense in hiding it."

"Edward!" I swatted his arm playfully, my giggles coming back in full force.

"Sorry Jake, we'll get out of your area." I grabbed Edward's hand, dragging him back to my office. I shut the door behind us and turned around to face him. He was standing there, arms crossed with a huge grin on his face."

"What?" He dropped his hands, stalking forward. My heart rate started accelerating. "Edward..."

"Bella..."

I turned, angling my back toward my desk. Backing up a bumped up against it and sat crinkling God only knew what in the process. Edward moved forward until he was positioned between my legs.

"Hey there."

"Hey there yourself. Have I told you today that I love you?"

I didn't think my heart could become any more erratic, but it did. What in the world did I do to deserve this man? And what would I ever do if anything ever happened and we were no longer?

"No, not today you haven't." My voice was soft and low, it was like a switch had been turned on and the automatic pilot of sex voice and innocence had emerged. I didn't mean to sound that way, but the feeling was something I wasn't at all used to.

"Hmmm, I need to fix that then." Edward threaded his hands into my hair at the base of my neck, leaned forward and kissed me. It was soft, sweet and tender. No rushing or fire, just love. Between soft kisses he murmured. "I...love...you."

"Mmmm, I love you too," I muttered back into his mouth.

He pulled back and I licked my lips, savoring the taste of him. "I notice you do that a lot."

"I do what a lot?" I asked.

"Do you like the way I taste on you Bella?" Instant heat coursed through my body.

Pushing shy, timid Bella aside I replied, "As a matter of fact, I like more then just the taste of you on me." I gave him a saucy grin.

"Oh God Bella!"

Grabbing the back of my head, Edward attacked my lips, thrusting his tongue into my mouth, taking everything, giving everything. I moaned in the back of my throat. I jumped suddenly, hitting Edward's forehead with mine, startled by the banging on my office door. I mouthed the words "I'm so sorry..." to Edward as I reached forward and rubbed his head, trying not to laugh.

"Bella. I need the inventory reports."

Jake... figures.

Edward was grinning at me as I hopped down from my desk and pushed him aside so I could sit down. "Sure Jake, just give me a minute and I'll run them out to you."

"Thanks, Bella" Jake mumbled through the door.

"Great. I wonder what he thought we were doing in here."

"Probably exactly what we weredoing in here."

I groaned and Edward chuckled. "I probably should get some stuff done. I don't want to be here to late tonight. So, you'll call me when you check your schedule?"

"Absolutely." He leaned over and kissed brushed my hair aside, kissing the back of my neck. I turned around in my chair and gave Edward a proper kiss goodbye, grabbing his face in my hands and biting his lower lip before opening my mouth to him, tasting him, driving myself wild. "I do think I need to kiss your neck more often."

"Guaranteed results..." I smiled. "I'll be done around 11:00 okay? You're sure you don't mind?"

"I don't mind at all. I'll see you then."

Turning back to my desk, I pulled the latest inventory report for Jake to update. Pressing the print button, I waited for the document to print out and then pulled it off the printer and took it into the bar to Jake. When I approached he had his back turned to me and was talking on his cell phone.

"No, absolutely not! Are you insane? You have enough problems right now as it is; you're not dragging me into your mess. You need to get that figured out and then we can talk about something more permanent. Personally I think things are working out fine just the way they are. Why screw up a good thing?"

I cleared my throat trying to get Jake's attention without being rude. Technically he was on duty and the phone call needed to be taken at another time, but who was I to judge? I had just practically mauled Edward in my office. Heck if I had more time today and Jake had been scarce I would have. There was something about him that brought out the wild side in me. I had confidence when it came to Edward, a confidence I never had or ever desired to have with James.

"I have to go, Bye." Jake hung up the phone abruptly. Turning to me he smiled. "Sorry about that, Bella, I don't usually take calls like that at work."

"No worries Jake. You never abuse it so I don't mind." I reached out my hand extending the documents I printed off. "Here you go. The most recent inventory reports that you requested. I plugged in all the numbers that you counted last week and took into account the stock we received so the numbers remaining should be what we have on hand minus what we have used. So as long as you guys have been keeping track of what has been consumed in liquor...I'm rambling aren't I? You know all this, I'm sorry." I smiled at Jake.

It's okay Bells, I understand your concern. This bar is your baby and I would do the same thing. Say, Bella, I really want to apologize again for what happened a few weeks ago. I know I am totally out of line here and you probably don't even want to talk to me still, but I really do feel bad and I value your friendship. I miss you, I miss us." Jake grabbed my hands squeezing them. "Can we start over, please? I want the old Bella and Jake back."

I stood there, thoughtful for a moment. "Look Jake, I'm not sure what was going through your head when you said the things you said but I do know this. When you made the comments you made, Edward and I were simply friends, going out on a date, seeing what was what. Now we aren't. Edward is a part of my life. I love him and I don't see him going anywhere any time soon. If you can't deal with that you need to tell me so we can keep things strictly professional." Jake opened his mouth to comment but I kept going, "BUT if you think you can see past that, accept that, I am more than willing to forgive and forget."

Jake held up his hands, "Bella, I promise, not only do I accept, but I support all the way." I raised my eyebrows, weary of his instant approval. "Seriously, I need you in my life. I was a fool to have said to you what I did and I wouldn't blame you if you never spoke to me again, but I'm asking, please, forgive me. Let's go back to the way things were. Please?"

I stared at Jake, trying to see if I could sense any deception in his face, his stance. Was he playing with his hands, shifting from foot to foot? Looking me right in the eye? No, he was doing none of the above. Giving in I acquiesced. "Okay Jake, I forgive you. BUT! I am not going to promise things will instantly go back to the way things were but I'm willing to give it a shot okay?"

"Thank you Bella!! You won't regret this, I promise."

"That remains to be seen." I turned around to go back to my office, looking back over my shoulder."

"Funny Bella, very funny!"

"I thought it was."

I entered my office and shut my door so I could finish my work. I was counting the hours until I could see Edward again. Sitting down, I started shuffling through papers on my desktop, trying to find the general ledger I had printed out the Friday before. I moved some papers aside and my eyes registered an unfamiliar object. I had uncovered a photo which seemed to have been tucked into the stack of papers. Picking it up I peered at it, not quite believing what I was seeing. As recognition of the image slowly sunk in, my previous light mood vanished and was replaced by slowly increasing feeling of dread.

There it was in black and white, Edward and I quite thoroughly enjoying ourselves on the piano.

The feeling of dread built mixed with mortification, not from what I was doing or with who, but that someone else had been there, watching. Somebody had had the audacity to spy on me and take pictures. What would anyone gain by this? I shuffled through the rest of the papers on my desk pulling out more photos that were shoved in between papers. I pulled out photos of Jam Fest, Edward and I out eating, me leaving work.

The last photo I picked up however was the most disturbing of all. It wasn't one of me or anyone for that matter. It was a photo of a hand written note that simply stated 'I'm watching you'.

All of my new found resolve, thinking I could handle things and take care of it myself, every bit of strength I had gained the last 6 months, flew out the door. Suddenly I was more terrified then I had ever been. Reaching into my purse I pulled out my phone and started dialing.

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EPOV

I walked past Harry's closed door and heard Jessica screaming. As a matter a fact I was willing to bet everyone had heard her screaming. A grin spread across my face. She was gone and I was free. Free of her stalking me, smothering me, her nosiness. Free from her bothering Bella any longer.

"NO! You cannot fire me! This wasn't my fault. It was all her, that bitch, Bella! This isn't fair Harry and you know it!! You can't do this to me!"

"Actually I can and I have. I'm sorry Jessica but your behavior is what caused this mess. If you had just kept yourself in check like we talked about... I gave you a shot. You're the one that messed it up, not me. I told you when I hired you that I would not put up with that sort of behavior and it was clearly outlined in your contract. I'm sorry, but it does not matter who your father is. I did him a favor by hiring you. It was up to you to keep the job."

The door opened just as I passed the door.

"YOU!! Jessica screeched in her shrill voice, "What am I supposed to do now, Edward?Where am I supposed to go? No one is going to hire me after this."

"That, Jessica, is not my problem."

"Do you think this is the end of this? You think you and your mousy little girlfriend are going to ride off into the sunset and have your happily ever after? Well you have another thing coming. I may be fired but won't be gone Edward Cullen. You just wait. You're gonna regret the day you crossed me. And as for Bella-"

"You lay a finger on her, say one demeaning or disrespecting remark I will personally guarantee you will never work in this industry again. Try me, see if I'm lying." I walked off grinning like the Cheshire Cat, leaving Jessica standing there with her mouth hanging wide open.

Entering my office I sat down at my work station and started replaying that morning's show. Jessica has been excused for reasons unknown so I had Alec filling in for her. Surprisingly it had worked out great and we really played off of each other well, especially without having no planned bits or game plan to work from. It told me a lot about him and I wondered for a moment if he would be great for the show on a more permanent basis. I'd have to talk to Harry about that before I left for the day.

A red blinking light caught my eye and I looked down to see my phone flashing. Funny, I must have really been zoned in on what I was doing because I couldn't remember my phone having even rang. I picked it up and hit the view missed call button. Bella...five times? Worry instantly crept into my conscious. Shit, no wonder, the phone had been switched to silent. No wonder. I pressed the 1 key to listen to my voice mail.

Bella's panicked voice came through the speaker.

Edward, please call me when you get this. I found pictures. They were all over my desk. Someone's been watching. Please, call me.


There was another message left five minutes later.

Where are you? I really need to hear your voice. I called the police and my father but I really need you here. I know you're busy but... Please Edward. Call me.

The last message had been left 30 minutes ago. Shit! I hit the speed dial for Bella. She picked up on the first ring.

"Edward, thank God." Bella sounded on edge and frazzled but not like she had been crying. Good, she was keeping it together. That's my girl.

"Baby, I am so sorry! Are you okay? I'm on my way right now."

"Yes, I'm okay, just a bit scared, that's all." She paused, "Someone took pictures of us Edward, pictures of us being-sharing-I, I feel violated."

"Are those the only pictures they took?" I was worried, I was more than worried. There was no way I was letting her out of my sight now if I could help it.

"No, they also took pictures of me - Everywhere, at the store; work, even at the condo. Someone's been following me; there are pictures here from four months back at least, before you and I even existed. But the majority of them are recent and they are all of the two of us."

""I'm in my car right now Bella and on my way, do you want me to stay on the phone with you?"

"No, that's okay. Alice and Rose just got here and the police are about to leave so I need to speak with them before they go. As long as you're coming I'll be okay."

"I'll be there inside 20 minutes. I love you and we ARE going to get to the bottom of this okay?"

"I hope so Edward, I don't know how much more of this I can take. I love you too. See you soon."

Bella hung up the phone and I floored it, driving to the bar like I was in an Indy 500 race.

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The police were just leaving as I entered the bar and I noticed with extreme relief that Jared and Victoria were not among those present, which meant that the call Bella had made to the Chief of Police had done a great deal of good. It still pained me to know that she was so hell bent on taking care of herself that she never even considered calling her father to help out. I could understand not wanting to abuse the system but if you had the contacts available and did not abuse them what harm would there be in taking advantage when you really needed the help?

I bypassed the bar and went straight for Bella's office. The door was wide open with Alice and Rose hovering around the desk. As soon as Bella caught sight of me she stood up and rushed forward into my arms.

"Edward, I'm so glad you're here." I held on tight, stroking my hand over her hair and whispering that it would all be alright. Bella never let go, clinging to me. "The pictures, they were so intrusive, so intimate. They followed us, watched us, me. Edward, they took pictures of us here, the piano....I-I feel like they took something beautiful and turned it into something dirty. Not to mention that someone was in my office again." It was a heart wrenching plea of hurt and it pained me that she was hurting this way.

"Bella, look at me." She shook her head that was buried in my chest. "Bella." I reached my hand up from her waist and placed it under her chin, slowly moving her head up to look at me, The expression on her face was my undoing. It was humiliation, hurt and fear. "There is nothing that we have done, anytime or anywhere that we should be ashamed of. What we did, what wehaveis special and all ours, no matter what. No one can take that from us. Who cares about the pictures? Do they know what we feel? What we think? Do they have any idea at all how much we love each other? No, they don't. That's what matters. They may have made a small dent in you, but you'll bounce back and we will get through this. All of this okay? Together."

With a small smile, Bella drew in a deep breath. "You're right. I just don't understand. Who would do this? Who would continue to do this? And why? Edward, no matter how much James may hate me or want to get me back, I really just can't see him doing this. It's just a gut feeling, but it's still there. James has a temper. What he does is extreme and instant. This isn't James. What's sad is that I don't know if that makes me feel better, or worse."

"Well, at least he's one we can potentially eliminate right?"

"There is that, yes. So I suppose it should make me feel better."

"You said you called your father?"

I did. He called the precinct and spoke to the Chief there. They are going to start looking into things more in depth and assign it to an actual detective rather the responding officers. Hopefully by doing that it will help solve this mess. Were you able to get in touch with the PI?"

"Yes. He said he would have a report couriered over to me first thing in the morning. He asked me to call him later. He apparently has some very interesting information to share. I wanted you to be there when I spoke to him."

Okay, I already feel better. Thanks for calming me. Alice and Rose were trying and failing miserably." Changing the subject Bella continued." Oh, by the way, not to go off topic, but did you get a chance to check your schedule? Now more than ever Dad wants me to get away for a bit. I really want you to come if you can."

I walked Bella back into her office, sitting on the edge of her desk as she took a seat in her chair. Alice and Rose had vacated it when Bella and I were talking in the hallway. "As a matter a fact I did and it looks like I am free and clear. Do with me what you will; I am at your complete disposal."

"Oh, you really shouldn't say things like that."

"Really? Why is that?"

"Those sort of phrases cause certain individuals to cancel trips and want to stay home in bed all day taking advantage of said promise."

I hooked my feet around the bottom of Bella's chair and pulled her forward. "You can take advantage of me anytime you like. Where we are makes no difference to me."

"I love it when you talk all sweet to me like that." Bella said looking up at me and grinning. Damn! I wanted her here, now, anywhere for that matter.

"Are you done here or is there stuff you need to finish up? I can wait outside?"

"I'm done. I'm taking the rest of my work with me. I don't want to be here right now."

I stood and pulled Bella from her chair. "Good, let's get out of here. I'm gonna to take you home and talk sweet to you some more."