Disclaimer: All Twilight Characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. The mention of real individuals in this story is for dramatic effect only and is completely fabricated (as far as I know at least).

Author's Note: Sorry this has taken so long to get out, but two things took place last week. First of all my baby has learned to crawl, so now my attentions are even more divided than before. She has been rolling for a while, but usually stayed close by and in view at all times, but now that she's crawling I'm a far busier woman.

Secondly, I have been working to finish up the story that got me started on Fanfiction. In November I was encouraged to post the story that had been bubbling in my head, In the Shadow of the Day. ITSOTD story grew so big I chose to break it up into two volumes more or less, and I just finished up the last few chapters of the sequel, Chasing Away the Shadows, last week. It feels so good to have finally finished it after nearly 100 chapters between the two stories (granted they were all much shorter chapters than I've been writing on here).

Anyway, I chose to focus all of my energy on finishing Chasing Shadows so that now my sole writing project is this story. :D I'm sorry for the delay on this chapter though. This one isn't as exciting as the others have been, but it's important. Also fair warning that there's a touch of smut in this chapter in case you're adverse to that. Thanks for taking the time to read!

15. Bonding and Plotting

EPOV

Emmett and I racked our brains for nearly two hours and came up with a few ideas, but nothing that really made me feel much better. One way or another I was going to have to figure out a way to keep Bella safe.

I went into the guest bathroom and washed my face before creeping back into my bedroom as quietly as possible in hopes of not waking the sleeping beauty in my bed. I closed the door quietly behind me and turned to go join Bella in bed again when I froze, finding it hard to breathe.

Bella was stretched out across the mattress, the covers tossed off of her body and my sweatshirt now thrown haphazardly to hang halfway off the foot of the bed. This left her in nothing but her flannel pajama bottoms and a thin black tank top that clung alluringly to her curves riding up slightly to reveal the pale flesh of her flat stomach and her belly button.

I groaned internally at the difficulties this caused me. I had a hard enough time keeping my hands to myself already, trying so hard not to turn our situation into something more. Everything about Bella called out to me like a siren's song, but I knew things had to go slowly. This whole relationship thing was new to me and my habits and instincts didn't align with what we were attempting. I wanted her so bad I could taste it…but I had to force myself to slow down or else I'd fuck it all up before we would even get a chance to begin.

I tiptoed closer to the bed, forcing my eyes to move up her body from the flesh that was tempting me so evilly and my heart jerked in my chest. My god she was such an angel. Her hair splayed in a halo across her pillow with her hands resting gently by her face; she looked heavenly in peaceful slumber. My stomach clenched and my chest felt hollow as I gazed at the utter perfection that was sleeping so beautifully in my bed. I knew I didn't even begin to deserve her and yet here she was in my bed waiting for me to join her.

I sighed, pushed the sheets down on my side of the bed and then paused and smiled…I had a side of the bed now. I never had to have a side before because I never shared it with anyone, ever. My heart clenched at the thought that I never wanted to not share this bed with Bella ever again. I finished pushing the comforter and sheet down and then as gently as possible climbed into the bed next to her hoping not to wake her.

The second my head hit the pillow I heard a sweet sigh next to me followed by Bella curling into my side to rest her face on my chest, her tiny hand splayed across my stomach, and her right knee hitched over my thigh. I swallowed hard, willing my body to keep itself in check. If I thought it was hard to keep myself on track while watching her from across the room, then this was a trial by fire. Her body felt far too good next to me, her warmth crossing the bounds of our fabric pajamas made my heart speed. The touch brought back the hum in my body that I've grown addicted to feeling when she was close. I was so pathetic, and yet I wouldn't trade these feelings for all the money in the world.

She began to breathe a little deeper, the rise and fall of her chest causing her breasts to rub lightly against my side which in turn caused me to clamp my eyes shut tight in an attempt to distract myself. I tried baseball stats, hockey stats, naming the state capitols in alphabetical order, and counting backwards from one hundred but nothing seemed to work. Then my thoughts fluttered to having to leave Bella in a few days with the situation we were facing and suddenly my focus shifted from the feel of her body to my worries for her safety.

When Emmett first told me who the bald guy really was I totally fucking lost it, shattering some very expensive knickknack Esme bought for the coffee table. My adrenaline was pumping overtime and I felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest. The mere idea of leaving Bella at all right now was hard, much less while knowing she could be in some sort of danger.

We sat tossing around ideas for nearly two hours. the sort that ranged from what we could do if we actually did get a detail for her while we were gone - which sounded rather unlikely, to taking her along - which wouldn't be feasible with her internship. Nothing sounded good enough or made us happy except for one option, finding a way to get out of it and keep her safe ourselves.

We thought of ways we could delay the trip or get it cancelled and in the end decided that if we had to give up our jobs to keep her safe then we would. Bella was more important to the both of us than anything else, except for maybe Rose in Emmett's case. We agreed to try a couple more things before we would start attempting to sabotage the trip and also agreed that it made the most sense for Bella to stay at my place for the time being thanks to the added building security. I was thrilled. I'd only had to do it twice since Bella and I started to work things out and yet I was already painfully aware of how hard it was for me to leave her at the end of the night. I rejoiced in the fact that for at least the next four days, if not longer, Bella would be staying with me.

I tried to make myself fall back to sleep, but I just couldn't. The angel in my arms was far too beautiful and I couldn't make myself look away. It was nearing six in the evening when I heard her breathing change and she started to stir. She groaned, stretching her arms in the air behind her as she arched her back and twisted. I felt my adam's apple bob as I swallowed hard, watching her stretch her limber body. Once she stretched she returned to her original position on my chest and froze. Apparently she hadn't realized where she was until after she stretched.

Her eyes shot up to meet mine and she blushed momentarily before pulling her leg back from over my thigh. I smiled down at her, willing my libido to cool down.

"Hey sleepyhead, did you sleep well?"

She smiled back up at me and sat up, yawning and rolling her neck before looking down and instantly crossing her arms across her torso, looking around for the sweater she fell asleep in.

"It's at the end of the bed. I got up when Emmett stopped by to talk and when I came back a couple of hours later you had kicked off all of the covers and taken it off. I assume you got too hot."

She spied the sweatshirt at the end of the bed and crawled quickly down to grab it, giving me a spectacular view of her tight little ass, which certainly wasn't helping out my issues any. I grabbed the sheet, pulling it across my midsection to help disguise my current condition as she quickly put on the sweater before settling on her knees next to me.

"So, what did he have to say? It was no big deal and now you guys are going to back down right?" She looked so hopeful that it bothered me to have to give her the bad news. Knowing this was going to upset her, my personal issue seemed to solve itself quickly and I moved up to kneel in front of her and take her hand.

"I wish I could tell you that sweetheart, but unfortunately the bald guy is bad news…REALLY bad news. I have an idea, why don't you come with me and we'll make some coffee and start dinner. I will tell you everything over our meal and then you will really understand exactly why we are so worried."

She nodded before looking around the room quickly. "Do you think I could take a shower while you start dinner? That way I'll be ready to go then I can help you when I'm done."

I reached up to tuck a lock of her silky brown hair behind her ear. "That sounds like a good idea love. Does lasagna sound good?"

Her eyebrows shot up and she smiled. "Lasagna? So your culinary expertise extends beyond Eddie's special Omelets?"

I chuckled and offered my hand to help her to her feet. "Yes, is that really so surprising?"

She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around my waist and something inside my chest melted into a pile of goo in my toes. She looked straight up, resting her chin on my chest and smiled. "I guess not. It's just nice to see these other sides of you. I thought I knew you so well and yet I find I'm learning something new every day."

My arms, which had instantly wrapped around her shoulders, squeezed her quickly as I leaned down to kiss her sweet lips. "I love you being here with me and learning more about me. You already knew me better than most people, and I'm pretty sure that now you know me better than anybody else on the planet. I love you Bella, so damn much. I know I don't deserve you, but I'm going to do anything in my power to make you happy."

She sucked in a slow shuddering breath. "You don't really have to try so hard you know. All I need is for you to be yourself; let me see you for who you really are, and be faithful to me and me alone. Then I'll be the happiest woman on earth."

My heart sped as I watched her mouth form those words. She tipped up on her toes, removing her hands from my waist and instantly snaking them around my neck to grasp my hair as she took my mouth in a passionate kiss. We both moaned together as our tongues collided and I moved my hands up and down her sides before wrapping them around her waist, pulling her closer to me as I struggled against the urge to lay her back down on the bed and cover her with my body.

When we finally pulled away we were both panting. I rested my forehead on hers, unwilling to release her from my grasp. It was amazing how we fit together so perfectly. We shared a few more light pecks before I finally forced my hands to obey and released her from my embrace.

"Have a nice shower love. I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything." She smiled and nodded before I walked out of the bedroom door toward the kitchen.

I grabbed the supplies I needed from the fridge and cabinets as I set the oven to preheat. I immediately began browning the beef as I set about shredding the cheese and opening the containers of ingredients.

I had the entire lasagna assembled and was getting ready to slip it into the oven when Bella appeared in the doorway wearing a pair of shorts and one of my SWAT t-shirts with a knot tied on the side; her hair still wet from the shower. The sun shined behind her through the windows of the living room, making the highlights of her hair shine with hints of red. I couldn't help but once again take notice at how breathtaking she was. In my past a woman would have to be perfectly put together with each hair in place, perfect make up, a tight dress, and fuck me pumps for me to even give her a second look, much less find her one tenth as stunning as I found Bella at that very moment. I was so fucking whipped and I really didn't mind one damn bit.

She crossed the floor and hopped up on one of the bar stools next to where I was working on the island counter top with an excited smile. "Well, what can I do to help?"

I looked around a minute. "Hmm… I'm finished with the lasagna. It needs an hour to cook. We still need to warm the garlic bread, but that just goes in the last ten minutes while the oven is cooling off, and we need to do the salad, but if we do that too soon it will just wilt. So I guess we're all done for now."

I turned to the coffee pot that had just finished running through the fresh ground French vanilla blend that I knew she loved so much. I poured a large mug for each of us and sitting one in front of her. "Milk?" She nodded so I turned grabbing the gallon out of the fridge and took off the lid letting it hover above her cup. "Tell me when."

I began to pour and after I added quite a bit leaving her coffee looking almost caramel colored she told me to stop. I added a bit to mine before returning the gallon to the fridge.

She grabbed the sugar container in front of her offering me some. I nodded and asked her for two spoonfuls and she carefully added the sugar before adding four spoonfuls to her own. I couldn't resist the chuckle that escaped my throat. "Want any coffee with your milk and sugar love?"

She snickered and rolled her eyes. "What? I like it creamy and sweet. Anything wrong with that?" She cut her eyes over at me as she pulled her lip between her teeth with a seductive smile. I instantly felt my pants tighten at her expression. Fuck me…she was being all sexy and flirty, as if I didn't have enough trouble keeping myself in check!

I shifted in my spot a bit before suggesting we move into the living room where it would be more comfortable. I took her hand and led her to the couch where I sat down pulling her to sit next to me gently so she wouldn't spill her coffee. She took a sip and hummed appreciatively. Good Lord, was everything she did today going to turn me on? Could I please have a break? I'm trying to be the good guy here and she was not making it easy at all.

I took a few sips of my coffee before sitting it on a coaster on the coffee table. She watched and then did the same before shifting to face me on the couch with her legs pulled Indian style underneath her. I shifted to face her, grateful for the space created by our bent legs to help me keep my hormones in check.

She smiled resting her hands in her lap. "Okay, I'm ready now. Lay it on me."

I took a deep breath and sighed. "Hmm…where to start…I guess ironically enough I can start with girls night out where you met that jackass doctor and we got that late-night call out. We're not really supposed to talk about the case, but since it directly affects your safety now, I think you have a right to know. We were called to bust a warehouse run by a known mob lynchpin Troy Deluca."

Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. "I heard about him on the news. You guys did that bust?"

I nodded. "The press only knows a small sliver of the whole story though. The FBI is working in conjunction with our department to keep their presence in the case hidden, but this all ties back in to Blagojevich." She crinkled her nose. She never liked him either. "Deluca is very important in the whole case against Blagojevich and is known to have helped him get elected, has been funded and assisted by Blagojevich to get his operations running, and is believed to pay a portion of his income to Blagojevich on a regular basis. Anyway, Deluca had a very loyal following of henchmen at his disposal and one is none other than James "Wingnut" Trager, Deluca's cousin, you'll know him as the bald guy that groped you at Dooley's that you surprised the fuck out of when you took him down on your own. God you were so fucking sexy that night!"

I blushed when I realized I added the last sentence of word vomit, she ducked her head with a crimson glow of her own, nibbling her lip and glancing back at me a few times through her eyelashes. I smiled and reached my hand down to tip her chin back up to me. "Please don't be shy love. You are an amazing woman. Hell you've been driving me crazy all day. You looked like an angel in my bed, about made me need to take a cold shower when you curled into me after I talked to Emmett and again when you did that wake up stretch, and about made me swallow my own tongue when you walked into the kitchen earlier. And that's when you're not even trying. Trust me when I tell you that you are always beautiful, but when you're being that strong confident woman that I saw on that dance floor you are the sexiest creature to ever walk this planet and don't ever doubt it."

She scoffed and chuckled uncomfortably and I sighed. I knew I was never going to convince her so I let it go. I did the best I could by telling her how I felt, and from this point on I was just going to hope that showing her might convince her.

"Anyway, we're off topic. Later that night we caught Trager hassling another woman so we took you up on your offer and decided to teach him a lesson, but, and this is the stupid part on our side, we had to go bragging first about the fact that we were SWAT officers and you were Emmett's sister. We made the big Deluca bust later that night, but Trager wasn't there because he was too busy being patched up at the Northwestern ER. So you see, he's still free, and is fully aware of your ties to us, and our ties to SWAT, and SWAT's involvement in the arrest of his cousin. If he decides to pursue some kind of retaliation, you would be the easiest and most damaging target for all of us."

Bella swallowed hard her eyes wide and searching my own before she sighed and reached over for her mug of coffee with a small 'hmm'.

"What Bella?" I asked nervously recognizing those cogs turning in her head and immediately realizing she wasn't going to take this seriously just as I feared.

"Edward, I swear you boys really do over react when it comes to me. First of all, Trager you said his name is?" I nodded. "Trager didn't exactly seem like the brightest crayon in the box. I seriously doubt he put everything together and most likely never will. Secondly, you guys aren't the only SWAT team in town, so why would he assume it was your team that took down his cousin? And finally, I'm guessing he's going to be more worried about protecting his own skin than trying to take revenge for his cousin. After meeting him, I would say he's not really the 'loyalty for my brothers before myself' type guy."

I grunted and let my head fall against the back of the couch in annoyance. My voice had a hard edge when I spoke again. "Bella, you really aren't understanding how deep this thing goes. Some of these people mean serious business and wouldn't think twice about making you a pawn, considering you to be just one more bit of collateral damage." I scooted closer and reached over to pull her into my arms, burying my nose in her hair and kissing her temple. "I think you underestimate how decimating it would be for all of us if something were to happen to you…especially for Emmett and me. I don't know what I'd do if anything were to happen to you, but I can tell you right now it would be bad."

She took in a deep breath and let it out in a huff. Bella sat up on her knees to curl up into my side, tucking her head under my chin and wrapping her arms around my waist.

"I have a pretty good idea; it's probably about what it would be like for me if anything ever happened to any of you guys, but especially you or Emmett." She took in another deep breath shaking her head slightly. "Fine, what's the game plan?"

I ran my hands through her hair, relishing in the smell of her strawberry shampoo and the silkiness of her still damp locks. "We're not sure yet, but we're trying to find a way out of or delay the training trip."

She shot out of my arms and sat straight up next to me in a second. "No way! No way are you guys going to skimp on the training when you're adding two new guys to the squad. You have to learn to work together and this trip is crucial to turn you back into the team you need to be with the newbs. Skimping on the training is way more dangerous than the potential, quasi threat to me thanks to baldy. Hell NO! You guys are going. I'm going to miss you like hell those two weeks, but I will not let you guys do something that will ultimately risk yourselves. And to support my reasoning I site our recent conversation regarding what would happen if anything happened to you guys!"

I sighed and rolled my eyes, letting my head fall against the back of the couch again. Of course she wouldn't make this easy. This is Bella we're talking about. Stubborn, willful, beautiful, glorious, sexy, determined, bullheaded, mother-hen Bella…and god did I ever love her!

"Well Love, do you have any suggestions because that's the best we had. The chief refuses to provide guards for you because he says there's no tangible proof you are a target. And as much as I'd love to take you with me and hog you away in a hotel room every night for the next two weeks, there's no way you can be away from your internship for that long. So we're all out of options besides finding away out of the training."

She groaned furrowing her brow and nibbling her bottom lip lightly. Her eyes darted back and forth as though she were reading a book as she melted next to me on the couch. After a little while she shifted over, lifting her legs to rest on the couch and leaning her back into my side to rest her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my right arm around her, holding her as close as I could and buried my nose back into her fragrant hair. She cuddled back and sighed appreciatively before shooting up again and nearly ripping my arm out of socket as she went.

I stretched my arm out to the side with a grimace as she turned toward me with bright eyes. "Alice!" She squeaked. "Alice and I work the same schedule more or less, she lives in a high security building with her parents, has a driver on call if she ever needs a ride, and her parents have a security company on retainer for the times when her father is negotiating a controversial deal or receives noteworthy death threats. If she and I stay at her parent's place the whole time you guys are gone and utilize the stuff her parents already have set up then we should be more than safe while you're gone."

I frowned as I watched her excited hopeful face beam at me while I thought over her idea. "I guess it could possibly work. I'd want to do a little research on the security company to make sure they are reputable enough and collaborate with Alice's driver, the company, and the security people at Hancock, and we'd have to check with Emmett."

Her smile was radiant and I couldn't help but smile back. I reached out to pull her against my chest again, missing her body heat too much to let her stay so far away. I rested my cheek on top of her head as I sighed. "Damn and I was hoping this would be a valid excuse not to have to leave you for two weeks. I can't stand to leave you overnight, much less for two whole fucking weeks."

She shifted, tucking her face into the cook of my neck and kissed it before sighing; her warm breath sent chills down my spine. "I know…I feel the same way."

She placed another kiss there and then shifted again placing another further up my neck. I couldn't suppress the groan that rumbled in my chest. The feel of her smooth lips on my neck as they slowly traveled up to my ear and nipped gently on my earlobe before her hands slid up to cup my cheeks as she kissed across from my ear to my lips was a beautiful torture. She shifted to her knees on the couch, leaning into me when she placed three soft kisses on my lips, each lingering slightly longer than the one before.

My hands suddenly developed a mind of their own and began to roam up and down her sides. She deepened the kiss tracing my lips with her tongue and I opened my mouth to her sweetness. My right hand reached around to the small of her back bringing her closer as I became more and more intoxicated by her proximity and her taste, never satisfied and always wanting more.

My heart jumped in my chest and my pants jumped a little too when she suddenly shifted her weight to straddle my legs. She sat back on my knees, still keeping her hips a safe distance from mine and yet increasing the heat of our kiss. My hands continued to pull her closer at the small of her back and after a bit she relaxed, allowing me to pull her body flush with mine and both our breathing picked up pace. The feel of her body pressed closely to mine was maddening and I felt myself harden in response. We both moaned and I felt my eyes roll into the back of my head.

Finally satisfied with how close we were, my hands took to rubbing her sides eagerly, drifting dangerously closer and closer to the side of her breasts with each pass.

Just as my hands were about to make contact the timer for the lasagna began to go off and we broke away panting, both of our eyes full of lust. I closed my eyes, somewhat grateful for the timer that kept me from pushing too far. Bella slid over my legs to sit next to me on the couch tossing her head back in apparent frustration.

I smirked in spite of myself as I got up and walked into the kitchen to remove the lasagna, turn off the oven, and slide the prepped garlic bread into the oven to warm while the lasagna cooled.

I began to pull out the vegetables for the salad and wash them as I mentally kicked myself for nearly loosing control like I did. Five more minutes of her on my lap like that and I probably would have ended up pinning her down on the couch with half of our clothes lost to the floor.

I began to tear the lettuce as I started wondering if the old stories during World War II about peter salt were true and if I could find some. I needed something to help control my libido and that tempting angel still splayed out on my couch in frustration was not helping at all.

I had just finished tearing the iceberg and romaine when Bella floated in smiling. "Well can I help yet? Want me to cut veggies or something?"

I smiled, sliding the carrots and a grater toward her and she smiled back, taking the carrot and cleaning off the outer skin before using the grater to create thin slivers of carrots that she sprinkled onto the salad I was tossing in the bowl. Next she found a cucumber that she washed and sliced thinly, adding them in a decorative manner on top before dicing a tomato to add to the mix. By that time the bread and lasagna were ready for consumption the salad was ready so we set the dining room table.

It was nice to sit and share a meal in the dining room with Bella. In all the years I had lived in that apartment, I had only actually dined in there a handful of times, two of which were now with Bella. I typically ate either at the island in the kitchen or on the couch watching TV because the dining room was a lonely place to eat alone.

After we finished we sat and talked a while longer before getting up and working together to put away the leftovers and clean the dishes. I loved how we worked together seamlessly as a team. We didn't even have to discuss it, we just automatically fell together as Bella washed while I dried and put away the dishes.

We cleaned off the counters and leaned against them talking a while longer. Finally we found our way back to the living room to curl up together on the couch before we had to leave to get her to work on time. I hated the idea of her going to work with all that was going on and knowing that there was no way we could ever completely secure the location. But if she missed too much work then she would face major setbacks in her internship and possibly have to repeat her intern year before she could move up to first year resident, so we had no choice.

We talked and laughed as she looked at the pictures on the entertainment center and we started reminiscing about things we all did together in the past. It was so incredible how much of a moron I was for all of those years not to see how good we were together. All of our best memories seemed to be of the same events and the same places. We were getting pretty close to time to go when Bella sat back up again and looked at me with an uncomfortable expression.

"Um Edward, just for clarification sake…what are we?"

I frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Well, you referred to me as your girlfriend to Lauren and well, I wasn't sure what to refer to you as up to this point. I didn't know if that was for her sake or if that's what we're really going to label this. Are you my boyfriend? Are we really TOGETHER? I don't want to push you, but I just wanted to clarify."

I pulled her to my chest and tucked my finger under her chin to pull her lips to mine. As I ghosted my lips over hers I answered. "Well for clarification sake, I would definitely say you are my girlfriend, I am your boyfriend, we are in a committed relationship, and we are in love. Does that about cover it?"

Her smile took over her whole face and her eyes twinkled at me as she leaned in placing a passionate kiss on my lips, grabbing my hair tightly and massaging my scalp with her short nails. I moaned and felt my eyes roll into the back of my head behind my closed eyelids again. She moaned in response before finally pulling away and breathing deeply. "Thank you, I really needed to hear that."

I smirked at her with a wink. "Hell baby, if it means you kiss me like that I'll say it all day every day."

She laughed and smacked me on the arm before looking at the clock with a sigh. "Well time to go turn into Dr. Swan. I take it you are physically escorting me to work tonight?"

I nodded, draping my arms across the back of the couch and kicking my feet up on the coffee table, crossing them at the ankles. "Yep, just call me your own personal bodyguard."

"Oh, so does that make you Kevin Costner?"

I snorted, rolled my eyes and shook my head as she giggled at herself before disappearing into my bedroom. She came back out ten minutes later with her long beautiful hair expertly tucked back in a French braid, her blue scrubs looking crisp and clean under a snow white lab coat with a stethoscope hanging around her neck and her employee badge hanging from the pocket. She walked over to the round table in the entryway grabbing her purse before turning to me with a seductive smirk.

"Well Kevin, you ready to part the masses to get me to work on time?"

I made my way over to her, placing my hand on the small of her back and leaning down to whisper in her ear. "So if I'm Kevin and you're Whitney does that mean we get to get hot and sweaty later on too?"

I shouldn't have done it. I was trying to be so good, but that seductive smirk totally brought out a tiny hint of Slutward that I was trying so hard to suppress. She sucked in a breath and tensed, standing a little straighter as she gulped loudly before turning her head so that our lips were only a few scant centimeters apart. "I'm not quite ready for that yet. It's been a long, long time for me. It's definitely not that I don't want to, because I REALLY do…Just not yet. I know that when the time is right it will happen."

This time I froze as her breath wafted across my lips and I licked them in hopes of tasting her on her breath. I hadn't meant to really make her give up such a confession, but I had to admit it was good to know that we were on the same page in that respect. I wanted her so badly it was ridiculous, but I knew we weren't ready. I closed the space between us, placing a light but very passionate love-filled kiss on her lips before whispering back. "I know love. When the time is right… Let's get you to work."

She kissed me one more time before walking ahead of me slightly and then waiting as I locked the door. She took my hand and curled herself around my arm as we walked toward the elevator. As the door opened Lauren stepped out pulling a man in a suit by his tie toward her door. She shot a look our way and Bella tightened her grip on my arm. I let go of her hand and wrapped my arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer and kissing her temple as she wrapped her arms around my waist.

The elevator doors closed and I found myself unable to resist kissing her one more time before we left the building, knowing it would probably be my last chance considering Bella's rules about public displays of affection at work. We were still wrapped in each other's arms when the doors opened on the ground floor. We broke apart and stepped out to see Donnelly's smiling face from behind the security desk. I stole a glance at my watch before pulling Bella over to meet him in person.

"Donnelly, I want you to meet my girlfriend Dr. Bella Swan in person. Bella this is Donnelly."

"It's such a pleasure to meet you Dr. Swan." Donnelly beamed at Bella. I could tell Jensen already bragged about my girl to him what with the way he was smiling knowingly at the two of us.

"Please call me Bella. What's your name?"

Donnelly nodded with a smile. "Donnelly, ma'am. Jason Donnelly. You can call me Jason if you wish."

Bella's smile was radiant as she nodded. "It's nice to meet you Jason."

I quickly made sure Donnelly was aware of the situation surrounding Bella and the necessary security precautions. As I assumed, Jensen had made sure he was well aware of everything and we made our way out into the chilly October night with her once again wrapped around my arm as we held hands.

My mind was wandering over all of the security issues I needed to cover and the phone call I needed to make to Emmett when Bella's voice broke my thoughts. "That was too fast…I'm not ready to leave you yet," she mumbled quietly, squeezing my hand.

"I don't want to leave you yet either love, but you have to go to work. Have a good night sweetheart."

She sighed before turning to hug me tightly around the waist and kissing me quickly on the lips, surprising me at her open PDA. "I love you Edward. I'll see you in the morning?" She said as she began walking backward into the building keeping her gaze locked on me.

"Bright and early."

"I don't get off until ten!" She stopped looking confused as I just smiled.

"Yes, but you get a breakfast break before rounds right? Around 5:30?"

She huffed. "Alice."

I nodded with a chuckle. "Want waffles from the bistro?"

"Mmmm…those sound good. Crap, now I'm going to be thinking about waffles all night!"

I laughed. "Sorry love. See you in the morning."

She ran back the few feet to me again to throw her arms around my neck and kiss me one more time. "See you in the morning. I love you."

"I love you too, Bella."

She turned and ran into the building. I just watched her disappear into the lobby and down the hallway. Once she was gone from view I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Emmett.

"Hey man, we gotta talk. She's resisting plan A, but she's come up with a potentially viable plan B. Mind if I stop by?"

I took off again walking toward Emmett's apartment my thoughts lingering on Bella and how I can't wait for the next morning.

I wasn't even able to get a second strike on the wooden door before Emmett flung open with an exasperated and grumpy look.

"Got her to work okay?" he grumbled, shutting the door hastily behind me and loping over to the couch where he flopped down with a grunt.

"Yeah," I mumbled back, melting into the recliner and kicking my feet up.

"Well? What's going on? What was her issue with plan A and what the hell is plan B?"

I coughed out a chuckle shaking my head as I thought about my feisty Bella as she rattled off her objections to our plans. "Well, she flat out refuses to let us miss out on training. She's convinced herself that we are over reacting and didn't think any of it was necessary."

Emmett groaned before I continued on. "I finally guilted her into taking the threat more seriously and letting us protect her and then when I told her our plan to get out of training she totally freaked out on me saying that it was out of the question and we had to go to training to get used to the newbies and learn to work as a team or else we were putting ourselves in danger and if anything happened to us she wouldn't be able to handle it and so the plan was out of the question."

Emmett huffed and rolled his eyes. "Well fuck…but you said she came up with another idea that has potential?"

I crossed my arms over my chest and nodded. "She said Alice's family has a driver set up and keeps a guard company on retainer for when her father is at risk and that she thought Alice could probably utilize their services to keep them both protected and that they could stay in the Hancock with better security and would probably be even safer than when she's with us while we were gone. I told her we needed to discuss it and we'd have to coordinate with the guard company, Hancock security, and the driver to make sure they were competent, but it could work. I do know one thing; she's not going to let this go man. She's determined we go through with the training, so this may be our best option. I really don't fucking like it, but I don't see where we have much of a choice."

Emmett took in a deep breath and sighed, rubbing his temples with his fingertips. "When did everything get so damn complicated? Don't you miss the days when she was a teenager and just went along with whatever we said without putting up a fight?"

My eyes widened, "NO, not really man."

He looked over at me and chuckled, "Yeah, I guess you wouldn't, which is just one more reason I wish we could. I like you man and I know you are in love with my sister, but I gotta tell you I'm losing years off my life here worrying about the two of you."

I nodded. "I understand Em, if the roles were reversed and you were the one with the rep and I was the one with the little sister to watch out for I'm sure I'd feel the same way. I know it won't help, but I promise you we're taking things slow and trying to do it all the right way. It's hard sometimes because she's fucking incredible, but we're keeping everything PG."

"Gah! Just don't say any more. I don't want to know…really I don't. I don't need visuals or to know how hardthings get for you. Just…ugh!" He shivered and I couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction. If this was what he did when I was telling him things were staying PG then I definitely didn't want any other details to slip down the road when we start increasing the ratings.

"So, is she asking Alice about…" He got cut off by my phone playing my text alert. I flipped it open to see Bella's name and I smiled. I pushed the button to read the text.

This night is going to drag. We are dead and it makes the time pass so much more slowly! On the plus side had time to talk to Alice and she's all for it. She's going to text you the number for the bodyguard agency and then call them up to tell them to expect your call. She's also sending you her driver's number and calling Hancock security to tell them to expect your call.

Just as I finished reading her message I got another beep indicating I had a message from Alice. She sent all of the promised info plus the name of the security manager at Hancock I needed to speak with the next morning.

I went back to Bella's message and hit reply.

Em's not happy about the new plan, but agrees we don't have any other viable options. I will call first thing in the morning and head over the Hancock after our breakfast in the morning. If the night gets too unbearable I could drop by later on with a midnight snack if you think you'd have the time to eat it with me.

While I was waiting for Bella to respond I gave Emmett an update of what Alice had to say and the fact that I had the information on my phone now. He nodded and insisted he come along with me to Hancock and be included in the phone calls to the agency and with the driver. I agreed just as my phone began to chime again.

I may just take you up on that. Oh, and Alice says you boys better find yourselves time to practice because we're going to do nothing but prep for the Rock Band competition while you all are gone since we won't have anything better to do and will be stuck on house arrest most of that time.

I laughed and told Emmett what she had to say. He began to cheer up a bit and bluster about how they didn't stand a chance. I responded while he continued to rant.

Oh, I didn't realize you had actually managed to work anything out with Mama D yet. I didn't think you'd seen her since you had the idea between our date nights and your night shifts.

I didn't, but Alice did. She's already gone out and bought all of the supplies and projector and TV's saying that she just this once would use her monthly clothing budget to go to something else. She claims that Dooley's helped bring her and Jasper together and she owes it to Mama D to pitch in.

Well that was nice of Alice. When are Rock Band nights going to start then?

The first Wednesday after you guys get home. Alice already printed up fliers and has begun putting them up and everything. She's really excited.

You guys just promise not to be wandering around town or hanging out at Dooley's until we're back to be there with you okay? Please?

I added the please to appease her knowing that her first instinct as a feminist would probably be to balk. It took a while for her to respond back.

Ugh…Fine! Only because you said Please. The second you guys are back though you are all taking us out for a night on the town. We're going to be going absolutely stir crazy while you are gone. Gotta Go, a few cases just walked in.

I smiled before replying. Okay Love. I promise. Have a good night and text me later if you get bored again.

When I looked back up again Emmett was watching me with his arms crossed rolling his eyes.

"You are such a pansy ass when it comes to my sister, you know that? You have that big stupid goofy grin on your face again."

I sighed, "Yep."

He burst into rumbling guffaws at my simple admittance, finally catching his breath again after a few minutes as I watched him with a semi-amused expression.

"Well, what did the squirt have to say?"

"Alice has already bought everything for Dooley's for Rock Band nights which begin the first Wednesday we are home and we're required to take the girls out for a night on the town to make up for their house arrest in our absence."

He nodded and smiled. "Good, that means she plans on actually sticking to this and keeping her head down while we're gone. I'm feeling a little better about this."

"Yeah she also says that we better get to practicing soon because they are going to have two whole weeks with nothing else to do during their time off while we are gone except practice and I get the feeling that they're pretty good already."

He scoffed. "They're girls and not gamers. We're going to wipe the floors with them with no practice at all."

I shook my head, "I wouldn't be so sure Em. You know how well Bells can sing and you should definitely know better than to underestimate Rose, or Alice for that matter."

He waved his hand dismissively at me as he reached down and grabbed the remote to flip on Sport Center as we settled in to relax.

I guess the ER picked back up after our texting because midnight came and went without any word from Bella. I went back home and climbed into bed after setting my alarm for 4:30 to grab a few winks before getting back up to meet Bella for breakfast. I settled into my sheets and rolled over and let out a strangled moan as my nose picked up Bella's scent in my sheets. I closed my eyes, remembering how incredible it had been to hold her in my arms in this bed less than twelve hours before.

I took a few more deep breaths, grabbing her pillow and wrapping my arms around it. It was nowhere near an acceptable Bella substitute, but it was better than nothing. I couldn't help but feel a little scared at how much Bella had already changed my life. A month or so ago the thought of ever wanting to share my bed with a woman would have been laughable, and yet here I was now struggling with the fact that my bed felt massive and cold without her warm body tucked against mine. Hell I was even staying on my side of the bed.

After about half an hour or so of deep thought and taking deep pulls of her scent like a teenager huffing glue, I finally drifted off only to dream about her in my arms instead. My dreams however were definitely more along the lines of PG 13 hitting a solid R and nearly rounding the corner into NC17 by the time my alarm jerked me awake.

I sat up sweaty and shifting uncomfortably at the rock hard muscle straining under my pajama pants. I fell back into the sheets arching my back as my hand slid down my body of its own volition. Before I even realized what I was doing I was stroking myself to the memories of the Bella from my dreams stripping her top and baring her beautiful round peaks with the perky hardened rose-colored nipples.

I was remembering the feeling in my dreams of running my hands over them before sitting up and pulling them into my mouth one at a time. Bella arched her back into my face as she began grinding against my erection. I felt my orgasm building already; the month of only having my hand to keep me company was definitely catching up to me. She gasped as I pulled and nipped at her nipple with my teeth before she grabbed my hair tightly in her fingers and yanked back, pulling me away from her breasts to claim my mouth with hers. Her tongue was demanding and teasing as she began to grind harder into me. I began to moan as I thrust my hips up to meet my hand as it worked me faster.

I could hear dream Bella moaning and calling my name and even just the memory of a dream was enough. I yelled out Bella's name with a gravel-laden voice, coming hard onto my stomach. I was still shaking as I came down from my orgasm. I found myself a little nervous that by the time Bella and I actually did manage to reach the point for sex that I'd be a two pump chump if just my weak dreams, which probably don't even come close to a comparison of the real life Bella, affected me so strongly.

After giving myself a few minutes to recover I pulled myself out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom. I climbed directly into the shower to clean up the mess I made of myself. I knew that I was going to have to be doing a lot of that in combination with cold showers if I was going to get through this transition time until Bella and I were ready. I had already gone three weeks longer than I had in my entire adult life without getting any and to say it was difficult was an understatement. I needed a real release and the feel of a soft warm body badly, but until Bella was ready I would just have to wait.

I finished quickly and dressed before running down the bistro to grab the waffles and three containers of different flavored syrups so that she could choose which she wanted. I walked into the ER to find an exhausted looking Bella sitting at the nurse's station with her nose buried in a chart scribbling notes. She had dark circles under her half closed eyes. '

I walked up sitting the bag of food in front of her on the counter and she looked up with a bright smile. "Hey there! Is it 5:30 already?" She asked looking at the clock behind her in surprise.

"Almost, I'm five minutes early."

She took a deep breath, "Oh they smell so good. Can you give me just a couple more minutes to finish up my notes here? Then we'll head up to the third floor doctor's lounge to enjoy these before I have to join the Femmes for rounds."

I nodded. "Sure, no problem. You want me to go set up and you can join me?"

She shook her head adamantly. "Nope. I want you to sit right there in those chairs and wait for me. I want to have every second with you I can."

I smiled and saluted, earning a giggle before taking the bags and sitting down where she pointed. I watched her brow furrow at the page in front of her scribbling furiously. After about four minutes and three other charts she slammed closed the one in front of her, slid it into a stack on the desk, and stood up stretching with a big yawn.

She looked over at me with a big grin. "Okay Mr. Masen. I'm ready."

I walked over to where she stood and followed her to the elevator bank and pressed the up button. Soon a car arrived and we stepped in. The instant the door closed she was glued to my side with her lips pressing firmly onto mine. After a moment she pulled away with a sigh. "God I missed you tonight!" She chirped before stepping away from me seconds before the doors opened to the hallway of the third floor.

She exited the car and I stood there stunned a second before she turned back with a giggle. I snapped out of it and followed her down the long white hallway. Soon we were once again standing outside the familiar door to the lounge where I finally got brave enough to tell Bella how I felt and that I wasn't going to give up on her.

She opened the door and gestured for me to enter. I looked around to find the room was empty. I set down the bags on the table she had been working at that day I came here. The second the food was safely on the table she was in my arms again. Her hands tangled in the hair at the back of my neck, her lips once again moving with mine as I wrapped my arms around her waist and lifted her slightly so I didn't have to bend quite as much. She squeaked a bit and giggled before kissing me a bit longer and then pulled away.

We just smiled at each other for a few seconds before I finally put her down and began to pull out our breakfast. Then I walked over to the coffee machine and poured us two cups, adding cream and sugar in the quantities she used the previous night. I returned to the table where she had arranged our food neatly.

We sat and ate as she told me about her night and the crazy patients she had to deal with. She began teasing that she jinxed herself by texting me and it ended up being one of her nuttiest nights in the ER yet. We sat for nearly an hour laughing and talking after we finished the delicious waffles before she had to go down to meet the Femmes for rounds.

She kissed me quickly before we left the empty room and led me back to the elevators. She waved me off with a wink and blew me a kiss. I pretended to catch it and smiled, putting it on my cheek just as the door closed.

It took less than three seconds after the doors close to realize that I had become one of THOSE guys. You know the cheesy ones that do dorky ridiculous things to make their girls happy. I groaned and ran both of my hands through my hair tugging at the top with a sigh.

I reached the ground floor and followed Bella's directions finding myself out on the street. The sun was just beginning to tint the sky pink as I made my way down the street toward my apartment.

Once I was home I picked up the phone to start making my phone calls. I checked a few references for the bodyguard agency and discovered they were one of the best in the country, which really made me feel better. I called Emmett who decided he wanted to meet with them personally later that day to discuss things in more detail. He took the number to call and make an appointment and then we used three way calling to talk to the security manager at Hancock and Alice's driver. I made an appointment for 8:30 to go over security protocols with the manager at Hancock while Emmett took on the bodyguards. I would pick up Bella from work right after.

I looked at the clock once I was done with my calls to find I needed to leave in ten minutes in order to meet up with the manager. I thought about my morning and began to laugh. I bent over at the waist trying to catch my breath as I realized exactly how overprotective Emmett and I really were….not that it was going to stop me, but I could see where Bella could get annoyed. We were acting like we were planning security for the Queen of England while we were gone instead of Bella and Alice.

I walked around the apartment cleaning up a bit. I locked the door behind me when it was time to go meet with the manager at Hancock and then pick up my Bella. I couldn't wait to have her back here in my bed again. I took a deep breath as I willed myself to try to forget the memories of my dreams from the night before. I certainly didn't need any more visuals than actually having Bella in the room to mess with my control. I suddenly wasn't sure which was going to be the worse torture, the two weeks when I would have to be away from Bella, or the next three and a half days when I would be with Bella but still had to keep myself away from her in a way. I took a deep breath and sighed before making my way down the street, first my morning meeting and then I could pick up my girl.

A NEW POV

I watched over the top of my paper as the tall reddish haired cop smiled all dazed and disgustingly sweet at the bitchy chick doctor behind the desk of the ER nurse's station.

I tugged the hoodie higher on my head and shifted my eyes back down to the article on page three of the Tribune about the bust at the warehouse and I felt the anger bubble up from my toes. Fucking goody two shoes law enforcement always fucking up everyone else's shit. They put a major dent in our operation, but luckily for us there was a new guy in town and he was a fuck of a lot smarter than Troy ever thought about being.

Troy was pissed when Mr. B sent the new guy to take charge of the operation and get the new stuff distributed around town, but I didn't mind…Troy was about as smart as a box of rocks. Sure he was an extremely lucky box of rocks, but still…things were definitely going to get better with this new guy in charge.

The skirt got up and stretched smiling over at the cop and he followed her like a lost little puppy to the elevators. Her brother and this guy who was supposedly her new man wouldn't leave the fucking bitch alone for five seconds making my job a hell of a lot harder.

I sat a few more minutes before standing up when a large group walked through the lobby and followed them out into the street. I sat on a bench outside with a view of the door getting up to follow the cop when he left an hour later with that fucking ridiculous grin on his face. The guy looked like a player to me, but he seemed completely sucked in by the chick doc. Yeah she had a decent form and an okay face, but the look he had on his face you'd think he was a twelve year old seeing his first set of tits or something.

I got up and followed him to his apartment and then again a few hours later as he made his way across town to the Hancock building where he walked directly into the lobby and asked to be directed to security. He disappeared into the office and came back out an hour later smiling and shaking hands with a stressed out looking gray haired dude before walking out the front door with a smile on his face. Once he was gone I walked in and over to the office knocking on the door before peeking my head in.

"Hey Tony," I said with a sneer to the gray haired dude who closed his eyes and took a deep breath before sighing and letting his shoulders drop.

"What do you want Wingnut?" He groaned.

"What did the black and white want?"

"VIP floor is having a security issue and he wanted to double check with me in regard to building security."

I smiled realizing I had my in. The bitch was definitely going to make a great impression on the cops and the new guy.

"I want full access. We have business with your new guest."

He scoffed and shook his head. "Won't do you much good. They are going to be on guard 24/7 by the security company on the Brandon's retainer. You won't be able to get within twenty feet of those girls."

"Girls? As in more than one?"

Tony cleared his throat. "Alice Brandon and the guest, Bella Swan."

I smiled. "Thanks Tony. I'll be in touch."

He sighed and waved me off as I left the building with a wide smile. I was going to impress the new guy and soon. The bar backfired. I was supposed to be showing him how invaluable I was and making my pay for the week while I was at it, but instead that little doctor bitch had to go all Lara Croft on my ass and fuck it all up. Then new boss man was pissed I wasn't at the warehouse when the bust came down, but fuck, I was glad the assholes put me in the ER or else I would have probably gone down with Troy. Then the dude was all pissed when the doc bitch overheard us talking. Thankfully she only caught the end of the conversation or else I'd be even further in the shitter than I already am. Now I have to redeem myself or I'll either find myself given up as a patsy or be fitted with a pair of concrete boots and dumped in the lake.

Alice Brandon must have a link to the cops too if she is also under guard…my chances of making an impression on those cops who they should and shouldn't mess with and saving my ass just doubled.

I felt a spring in my step is I made my way back toward my apartment. I had a few calls to make and then a few plans to draw up, but one way or another, I was going to be saving my ass and hopefully finally moving up the fucking ladder in the organization one way or another.

Author's Note: Well everyone, there you have it. Just to clear things up just in case you missed it. The new POV is James "Wingnut" Trager…aka Mr. Clean, or the bald dude from the bar, or Troy Deluca's cousin. Either way, the boys are right to worry. I also think it's pretty clear now who the "new boss" is. Puzzle pieces are falling into place :D I also know the beginning was fluffy with all the kissy kissy face with Edward and Bella but that's a new relationship for you.

I have to say I was totally shocked with the reviews of the last chapter. The chapter before had 58 reviews and then BAM the last chapter got 90…90 reviews on one chapter…amazing is an understatement. Thank you all So So much!!! I love hearing from you so please keep reviewing! Reviews make me happy!!!! You'll also be glad to know that the next chapter is already done and with my beta…don't worry though, I refuse to hold chapters ransom for reviews. I HATE when people do that! Hope to hear from you all soon!!!!

OOps...almost forgot. Thanks to my beta Sihaya 9 for fixing my errors as always!!!