Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable characters or songs mentioned in this chapter. I have added the No Doubt songs mentioned in this chapter onto the Rock Band playlist, which I also do not own the rights to.

http:/www. youtube. com/watch?v=4WAapKx2TvM&feature=PlayList&p=B22A1DC2CA0E1519&index=0&playnext=1

This chapter is a shorter one, but it leads us right up to the big bad prologue event. I hope you enjoy and please take some time to send me a little feedback. You guys are the best!

Thanks as always to my betas SassenachWench and Sihaya9!

Underneath It All

EPOV

After the disastrous dinner with Elizabeth, life seemed to continue in a hazy flow of work and sleep with some socialization in between. Before we knew it, it was the week of Thanksgiving.

Rock Band night was set for the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. Even though most of the college kids were gone home for the holiday, the bar was still packed to the gills. This wasn't terribly unusual for the night before Thanksgiving though, so this was another ploy to get the Rock Band night idea out to everyone.

It was a good night. The girls dominated with a three-song play list of No Doubt hits. Bella looked a little funny in an outfit very similar to what Gwen Stefani wore in the Spiderwebs video, except her too short super sexy tank top bore the name 'Bella' and her voice was a bit different, but she still completely rocked the set.

They opened with Underneath It All, which immediately left me with tight jean issues as she crooned at me from stage, caressing the microphone with familiar skill. They took a break afterward for Bella to thank everyone for coming and explain the idea behind Rock Band nights and the battle of the rock bands coming up early next year. The girls had put their heads together and decided that it would be best to hold off until the college crowd was back from winter break before having the big event.

Once her speech was finished, she turned to the girls with a nod. Alice chose the next song that started off with a fast beat. My eyes were bulging out of their sockets as I struggled with my comfort issues under the table while Bella panted into the microphone during Hella Good.

About halfway through the song, I heard Andrea lean over to Emmett and ask a very sensitive question that made me tense immediately.

"Emmett, she's amazing! Why didn't she ever look into going professional?"

Emmett bristled, with a sigh. He took a few big gulps of his beer before slamming it back down on the table.

"She has always been amazing. She was actually on track for it all. She had been short listed for an audition with Julliard in the spring the year our parents died. After our parents' accident, she refused to sing in public again. If this wasn't for Mama D, she wouldn't even be doing it now. The best we could manage before was playing Rock Band in our apartment."

I felt myself sighing as I watched my Bella dominate the stage with passion. I heard Andrea continue.

"But why? Was she just that sad after they passed, or what?"

Emmett sighed hard with a shake of his head. "Well...yes, but it's more than that, she blames herself for their death. They had come up to Chicago to visit me and go out for their anniversary while she stayed home with friends for final dress rehearsals for the winter musical at school. They were doing My Fair Lady and Bella was playing Eliza Doolittle. The ice storm that came in was unexpected. Our parents decided they would be okay, not wanting to miss her opening night. They went to every opening night that Bella had, always overjoyed to support their quite shy daughter to spread her wings. Singing on stage was always the one place Bella wasn't shy and didn't cower at being the center of attention. They had driven all the way home through the worst of the bad weather. Lincoln wasn't nearly as bad as the Chicago area had been. They were less than two miles from home when Dad ended up losing control of the car, rolling it into the ditch. The coroner believed they died instantly, but they weren't found for four more hours, so nobody knows for sure. Bella found out when she woke up that morning. Her best friend's mother had to give her the bad news and she totally lost it. I caught the first train I could home. Her understudy took over her role in the play, she refused to go to the Julliard audition, and she has absolutely refused sing in public ever since until now."

I watched Bella on stage, thinking of how much we had in common. We had both lost parents and both suffered from the loss, but we were slowly putting ourselves and one another back together. I was so proud of Bella. She was always so brave and strong. She often called us her resident heroes, but if anyone were to ask any one of us guys you would get the same answer, she was far more a hero than we would ever be.

The song ended and the crowd went wild. They rounded out their set with Spiderwebs to a thunderous applause. Tonight we opted out of singing since there were already a ton of sign ups that would last the rest of the night. None of us guys felt like singing after recounting the past to Andrea. Instead, we all praised our girls and showered them with affection, being sure to dance with them and hold them close. Upon measuring up the competition, we were pleasantly surprised to find that there were quite a few decent groups. With any luck, the battle of the bands would be a huge hit!

As more bands played, we got up a few more times to dance to the better than average performances. We all got progressively more loosened up between strong booze and good tunes. It wasn't long before the conversation rolled back around to Bella's singing.

"So Bella," Dan, one of the new guys to the group, called across the table over the noise, "aren't you a little young to be so into No Doubt? You were what ten when they came out?"

Bella smiled, taking a big drink of her rum and coke. "Mom was really young when she had Emmett and was pretty much a big ole teenager. She loved music and No Doubt was one of her favorites. I could sing every lyric on the Tragic Kingdom album within a month of its release."

He nodded approvingly and moved on. Bella tried to act like it was no big deal, but I could immediately sense the shift in her posture. Singing tonight in front of a crowd, singing songs from her mother's favorite band, living in the city they had been driving home from the night of their fatal accident, it was all piling up on her.

I grabbed her hand under the table and squeezed. She looked up at me.

I smiled, leaning in close, "Are you ready to leave yet?"

She sighed and nodded.

I stood up, tugging her with me. We bid goodnight to everyone, promising to see Emmett, Rose, Alice, Jasper, Andy, Andrea, and Tanya the next day at my Aunt and Uncle's for our traditional holiday meal together, wishing a good holiday for the rest who would not bet here with us. After helping Bella into her warm winter coat, I put my arm around her, leading her down the street toward our apartment.

Bella was unusually quiet the whole way. I debated on whether I should try to get her to talk about it or give her time to sort everything out on her own. Once we were back at the apartment, I helped her out of the coat. I slid down onto the couch next to her, taking her hand.

"Do you want to talk about it, baby? Or would you rather I just give you your space?"

She tightened her grip on my hand, glancing up at me with conflicted eyes, moist with the tears that were threatening to form.

Finally, she sighed and whispered, "Can you just hold me?"

I nodded, wrapping my arms around her. She tucked her feet up next to her on the couch, melting into my side, and resting her head on my chest.

We just sat in the quiet of the apartment, holding one another and eventually falling asleep that way. I woke sometime in the middle of the night with a crick in my neck, my arm in a funny position. I realized Bella's neck was also at an odd angle on my chest. I repositioned her, sliding my arms under to carry her to our bed. I tucked her in tightly, setting the alarm clock before sliding in behind to wrap myself around her once more.

BPOV

For the bazillionth time in the last two weeks, I woke up in bed after having fallen asleep elsewhere. You gotta love having a strong boyfriend who can carry you to bed without having to wake you up.

I stretched a bit, trying to loosen the kink in my neck, when I felt his arm tighten around my waist with a moan. I froze. He stopped after a second and relaxed again. I melted back into my pillow with a sigh and thought about the night before.

On Halloween, when we did our first Rock Band night, I had a few nerves, but it wasn't all that bad. I only sang the last song of the set. It was one that I actually associated more with Emmett since he was the one who turned me on to Evanescence in the first place, so it was tolerable, although I had still felt slightly guilty.

I knew it was irrational, but I could never bring myself to sing in public again after my parents' death. My love of music and need to be appreciated for the skill had led to them driving in dangerous weather and being killed. Rationally I knew it wasn't the case, but on a reflexive, instinctual level, I just couldn't shake the idea.

From that point on, I suffered with a terrible form of stage fright. Just the idea of singing in front of people caused gastric reflux issues, but this was for something greater...this was for Mama D. All I had to do was get through the hype and the battle of the bands and we would be fine.

I thought it would be fine anyway, but picking No Doubt songs was a stupid, stupid move. I fought the urge to get sick, forcing myself to interact with the crowd, keep the performance going, but the entire time I just felt heavy and empty inside.

Part of making Spiderwebs my voicemail alert was because it was funny and fit. Another part was just a reminder of my mom...my funny, crazy, teen-like mom with funky clothes and hair and a love for all things young and hip. We had spent so many days bonding over music and posters of boy bands, taking dibs on the ones we thought were the cutest. My mom was my best friend and I missed her so damn much.

It was hard enough performing the songs. Having to explain my love of the music to someone who was practically a stranger didn't help things. Thankfully, Edward sensed my ill ease and got me out of there. He brought me home, offering to listen to me talk, but all I really wanted was for him to just hold me. Edward would never be able to replace the parent shaped hole in my soul, but being close to him and feeling his love for me did help warm the chill in my depths. Eventually I fell asleep, wrapped in his love and affection.

I lay there a while longer, reminiscing about my mother and how much I missed her. We were coming up on the anniversary of their death again in February. I hoped that the weather would cooperate this year and allow us to make our annual pilgrimage back to Lincoln to visit their graves.

We started the tradition the first year after they died, just Emmett, Edward, and me...the rest of the boys couldn't get away. My mind drifted back to the biting cold of the February morning when we laid our parents to rest under the blue tent at the graveyard. The ground was covered with snow that crunched under our feet as we walked. The whole day was a haze in my memory with the exception of the cold, the snow, the boys being around me, and watching as they slowly lowered my parent's caskets into the ground.

I realized in surprise that my body was literally shivering when the alarm clock blaring on Edward's side of the bed yanked me out of my memories like an auditory slap across the face. Edward jumped, slapping the table to silence the annoying chirp before turning back to me, pulling me to his chest tightly.

A split second later, he was up leaning over me with a concerned toned. "Bella? Bella? What's wrong, sweetheart?"

It was then that I sniffled, realizing I wasn't just trembling from the memory, but I was crying as well.

He grabbed my shoulder, rolling me toward him, pulling me to his chest, and enveloping me in his arms. I melted close to him, drenching his shirt with my salty tears.

"S...s...sorry Edward," I mumbled into his shirt. "I was just remembering the f..f..funeral." A fresh sob rippled from my chest. He hugged me tighter, stroking my hair with his left hand.

"Ssshhh, it's okay love, I'm here. It's okay to miss them."

He held me for a long time, shifting to sit against the headboard, pulling me up to curl into his arms. I cried into his shirt, soaking it thoroughly many times over until there were no more tears left.

When my tears had run their course, we sat and talked about the date that loomed three months ahead of me with the same fierce sense of dread mixed with morbid anticipation that I had faced every year since their death. We made some unofficial plans for the trip, including a possible side trek along the way. After we talked everything to death, we finally shifted out of bed to get dressed for Thanksgiving dinner, knowing that thanks to my little dramatic display, we would now be a good half hour late.

We arrived at Esme and Carlisle's to find that everyone was there, anxiously awaiting our arrival. I apologized, taking the blame. I sighed when I saw Rose and Emmett exchange worried looks. They knew...they put two and two together and came up with another Bella meltdown.

We had a nice fun dinner with all of the typical trimmings that Esme adored preparing and serving on her delicate antique china. I always cringed every time I was asked to pass a dish, fearing dropping the fancy china.

When the meal was over, the boys helped clear the table before disappearing into the cave, as we eventually came to call it. The girls all helped Esme put away leftovers and hand wash the delicate china, placing it carefully back in the intricately carved hutch.

In the early years, the boys would try to disappear on us, but Esme would pull them all back with a yank of the ears, forcing them to help her and I clean up after the mess. Since there were so many of us girls to work together this year, she let them off easy. It was just as well, we got to chat and enjoy our girly conversations as we worked, occasionally interrupted by roaring cheers from the guys in the basement, which we assumed meant their team was winning.

After we were done cleaning up, Esme suggested we settle into the parlor with some coffee. We sat around the fire in the den, discussing hospital gossip, new fashion, and of course griping about our boys. I sat back with a smile, listening while the rest of the girls rattled on. I enjoyed listening to them getting all animated about whatever they were talking about. I was also relieved to be free to get lost in my own thoughts from time to time too. My memories of the morning were still haunting me just a bit.

I was in the middle of an old family Thanksgiving memory when I was pulled from the thought by the sound of someone asking a question. I focused on the group in front of me as they all looked expectantly my way.

"Well, Bella? We're waiting?" Rose said with a sly grin.

"I'm sorry, I was spacing...what were you asking me?"

"We were just waiting for you to chime in on the conversation. Surely, you have something to gripe about too. Masen almost certainly has at least one quirk that's driving you crazy by now!"

I furrowed my brow and thought hard before shrugging. "Honestly I can't think of anything at the moment. I mean we've only lived together full time for a couple of weeks and most of that time I wasn't even home, between doing make up hours for my week off and working graveyard. So when I have been around him, he's been sweet and attentive and affectionate. Ask me again in six months, I'm pretty sure by then I'll probably have a thing or two to add."

Rose rolled her eyes and the rest of the girls chuckled as they returned back to their conversation. Eventually, the boys came up and joined us. We all sat in couples, with the exception of Tanya, who I motioned to sit by me with a smile, and talked.

The day turned into night. Eventually everyone began saying goodbye, making their way back home. Edward and I were the last to leave, hugging Esme and Carlisle goodbye.

"So, Bella, you've got twilight shift tomorrow on the ER rotation right?"

I groaned and nodded.

Carlisle smiled sympathetically. "Well, one thing about it, the day won't drag by for you. The day after Thanksgiving always is a busy one, which is why all the interns got stuck with twilight ER duty tomorrow."

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, you're not the first to warn me of that. They said it's only slightly better than full moon Saturday nights and New Year's Eve."

Carlisle chuckled, patting my back lightly. "That's very true, but you're one of the best I've seen in this year's class, so I'm sure you will be fine. Get a good night's sleep though...you are definitely going to need it!"

He chuckled as I groaned again.

Edward held my coat for me to slide on. When we got home, we showered, got ready for bed, and cuddled up together. I rolled away from him to check my alarm one last time. Four a.m. was an ungodly hour for a wake up call. I internally groaned one more time before sinking into my pillow with a sigh and quickly drifting off to sleep.

~o~O~o~

The sound of the alarm clock blaring in my ear from my bedside table woke me up with a start. I growled, slamming my hand on the off button repeatedly until the obnoxious noise finally stopped.

Edward groaned next to me and turned over, but thankfully didn't wake.

I slid out of bed and into the shower, hoping the heat would calm me in preparation for the long day ahead. I stepped out to dry off, quickly plaiting my hair into a French braid with the skill of many years of practice, before sliding into my scrubs and lab coat. I stepped into the bedroom, quietly clipping my ID on my lapel and throwing my stethoscope around my neck. I tiptoed to the bed to kiss Edward goodbye.

Just as I was leaving the room, I got the geeky idea to leave him a note for when he woke up. I stepped back to the dresser, grabbing a little pad I kept there for my shopping lists and wrote a quick note on the page, tossing a bit of lip-gloss on my lips and kissing the note. I left it on top of his alarm clock on his bedside table.

I gave him one more kiss before slipping stealthily out of the door. I shuffled into the kitchen where I brewed a partial pot of coffee, grabbing a bagel out of the fridge. I settled at the counter with the paper, sleepily scanning the articles as I took small bites and long savoring sips of my breakfast.

I was almost to the fold of the first page when my phone beeped and I saw the text from Alice.

ER overloaded, one of us will probably get stuck on triage. Today is going to suck!

I groaned, slamming my phone closed, tossing it into my pocket, and leaving the paper on the counter for Edward as I rushed to the closet to get my coat and shoes. This was going to be one very long, very sucky day!

EPOV

My alarm woke me up at 6am. I groaned, tossing my hand over blindly to silence the most annoying fucking piece of technology ever invented. As my hand slid over the top of the table, I realized there was a piece of paper on top of the alarm.

I grabbed it in my hand after hitting the off button. I pulled the paper to my face to see what it was. I felt the wide smile fill my face as I read the note just above the silvery pinkish colored set of lips that adorned the paper.

My sweet Edward,

I hope I didn't wake you this morning. You seem to be sleeping well, which I'm glad. It's going to be a long day so I'm not sure when I'll be getting home. I'll text you as soon as I get an idea, but I'm expecting it to be at least a fourteen-hour day if not more. Don't expect me any sooner than 7. Thank you for being so sweet and taking such good care of me the last few days. I love you more than words can express. Have a good day and I'll see you tonight.

All my Love,

Bella

I read it a couple more times before kissing the outline her lips left on the page, getting up to slip the piece of paper into my keepsake box in my drawer. Once done, I hopped in the shower before dressing and making my way into the kitchen for breakfast.

I brewed a quick half pot of coffee, noticing that Bella had cleaned up after she was done this morning and even had the coffee, filter, and water ready and waiting for me. I grabbed the last bagel and settled in at the counter where she had obviously been this morning, eyeing the paper resting still folded on the counter. I flipped the half folded paper flat on the counter and froze at the headline across the top of an article at the bottom of the page. I couldn't help but assume Bella hadn't gotten this far, or else she would have woken me before she left...or at least I would hope she would. I picked up the paper and read the article closely, growling. I slammed my fist on the counter in my anger.

Infamous Chicago criminal eludes Federal agents by using twin brother as decoy.

The infamous James "Wingnut" Trager is still at large after it was eventually discovered that the man in Federal custody was not the criminal, but rather his twin brother Jeff, who posed as the felon in order to assist his brother's escape. Authorities have no updates as to where Trager is now located. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact the CPD tipline or Crimestoppers.

I yanked my phone out of my pocket to dial Emmett, who answered the phone sleepily.

"What the fuck, Masen? We don't have to be at work for another hour and a half."

"Shut the fuck up, Emmett! I assume nobody called you about the newest Trager update?"

Emmett grunted and it sounded like he was getting out of bed. "Ugh, no. What's got you so upset? I mean they have the asshole after all..."

I cut him off. "No, Emmett...they don't!"

"WHAT?" Emmett boomed on the other end of the line.

"The fucking Sun Times knew before we did. The Feds have the wrong guy. Trager got his twin brother to pose as him so he could escape. They didn't find out until they finally got around to printing him. Fucking Feds!"

"FUCK! What the hell? Why weren't we informed about this?"

"Fuck if I know, Em, but I'm sure as hell pissed about it. I was about ready to go workout, but I say we hit the chief's office first. You in?"

"Fuck yeah, Edward. I'll see you in twenty."

I rushed around to find my keys and get on my shoes. I was not sure exactly why I was in such a panic. Bella was at work. We usually didn't worry too much about her while she was at work, but something about this whole situation just did not sit well with me at all. I rushed out the door, waving to Jensen on the way out. I hailed a cab to get to the station as quickly as possible.

I was halfway to the station when the beeper went off in my pocket with the special Code Red message. I dialed into the com center for further detailed instructions and my stomach dropped out of my body when I heard the automated voice…

Hostage situation at Northwestern Hospital ER. Number of suspects, unknown. Number of hostages, unknown. Armament and weaponry, unknown. Report to mobile command trailer on site. Gear already on site. Maximum Priority.

I screamed, beating the roof of the cab with my clenched fist as I yelled for the driver to turn back. When he balked, I yanked out my badge. He blanched, turning quickly to make an illegal u-turn to head back towards the hospital. The whole way, all I could do was pray that Bella was safe, hope that she got out, and if she didn't, figure out a way to get her out of there.

I know you all hate me for stopping this chapter here, but I was afraid the chapter would be too long if I combined the two. I will post the next chapter where we see it all go down asap…so please take a few minutes to review and then come back tomorrow to see the shit hit the fan!

Featured songs in this chapter to which I own no rights to, even if just to mention them:

No Doubt:

Underneath It All

Hella Good

Spiderwebs