A/N: Sorry it took a bit longer for this to be up then I said. I've hardly been home at all this week, and when I was we had no power :/.

Anyway, thank you so much to kiki, Mythical Words, RANDOM COOKIE NINJA, TempusSimia, brightglo and Ettare for their wonderful reviews! It means so much to me, guys :)

Hope you enjoy this one!

. : Chapter 11: Ben : .

I had to sprint all the way back to Sam's to get my Enzo. There was no way I was going anywhere in public in one of their beat up old things that looked like they might die at any second. I was going to have to make sure that Seth and Leah got cars that were at least reliable.

I threw open the door and dove in, thankful that I'd left the keys in there earlier. Then, to put it simply, I drove like a complete manic to get to forks on time, probably only a little worse then the usual for me.

I nearly swerved off the road while I was bringing up the GPS to figure out where they'd land the helicopter. "Shit, oops." Bringing it back on the road, I hoped like hell Charlie wasn't hiding behind one of these trees.

They were on a set timetable and they really couldn't afford to wait for me and anymore delays would cause a hold up. And hold ups were very bad in the spy world. The most likely, and inconspicuous, place to land a helicopter was a few kilometres out of town, accessed by a dirt track that should be…about seven and a half kilometres ahead on my right.

oOo

I came to a stop in the dark clearing, moonlight the only light after I turned off the headlights. The rumble of the V12 engine cut with the lights and turned the whole thing almost eerily silent. I was used to the silence though; scenes like these were comforting to me. 'Although,' Inner voice said wryly. 'You know the saying 'the calm before the storm.''

"You're just a vote of confidence, you are." I muttered sourly to myself. "No wonder I'm always being recommended to shrinks and idiot Mental finds me so interesting." Talking to my inner voice as if it were another person is probably a reason, too…

The distant, familiar buzz of a chopper lightened my mood considerably and I slipped out of the Enzo excitedly. The noise got louder and the lights appeared over the trees. I grinned widely and had to restrain myself from waving my arms around madly.

The wind from the blades of the Black Hawk whipped up leaves and dirt and pulled my hair completely out of its tie, but, I couldn't have cared less. Shielding my eyes I jogged over as people slipped out of the chopper.

"Maddy!" I called over the noise, smiling and hugging my best friend then kissing the top of the toddler's forehead in her arms. "Hiya beautiful boy."

"Aunty Evie!" Benny cried, holding his arms out to me.

"Hi, Evie," Maddy said. "Thanks so much for this, darl."

"Don't be stupid!" I chided her, taking my godson in my arms and hugging him close. "You know I'll always take him! I'd be furious if you didn't ask me!"

She laughed and ruffled her son's hair. Maddy looked ready for action, dressed in tight black clothing with guns strapped to her belt and her hair twisted up in a bun. I didn't know how she managed it, but where ever she put her hair, it always stayed there. "Well, you know you're my first choice. I feel better leaving him with you then alone with Dan."

"Hey!"

We both looked at her husband and laughed. Danny was well overloaded, carrying nappy bags, a car seat, one black briefcase and a silver metal one, and a lead clenched tightly in his left hand, which was attached to my very scared looking Mutt. My poor little thing was being forcefully dragged behind the blonde scientist.

He dropped the stuff at my feet and pushed the leash into my hand. "Here, that dog hates me."

"Animals hate you, dear." Maddy replied without missing a beat. "Ignore him. He's just nervous about working in the "field"." She did the quotations with her fingers and rolled her eyes. "Field, being a perfectly safe government building. That's practically a fortress."

I looked at Dan and raised my eyebrows. He adjusted his glasses and tugged on the collar of his black turtle neck. "Don't mock me. I've never done field work before!"

Maddy snorted and I got the impression that this argument had been going on for a while. "You're not in the field! You're changing labs, temporarily! I'm in the field all the bloody time!"

"Alright, alright, that's enough!" I butted in before either could continue. "Danny, stop being such a sook. Rule number one: No arguments in the team!"

They both gave me toothy grins. "Yes Ma'm."

"Good, behave, no more of this shit or you'll get yourselves killed." I ordered, and then sighed. "Look what happens when I go away…"

"Well you can't come back yet." My partner declared. "I won't have anyone to watch him otherwise."

I laughed. "Fine, fine, go on get off with you, then." I looked down at the stuff. All three nappy bags looked ready to explode. "Are you sure that's everything? Did you forget the kitchen sink? You do know that the Enzo is a two door sports car and not a small truck, right?"

"Ha ha, very funny," Maddy said, pulling me into a hug and kissing Ben's cheek. "We probably won't be home for at least a week, depends on how it goes."

I smiled. "I do know the drill, he'll be safe, I promise. I'll be heading home on Thursday so that's where we'll be."

They nodded and Danny took his turn to ruffle Ben's hair and kiss his forehead and my cheek. "Thanks again, Evie. Let's see if Maddy can't manage to kill me."

"Oh get lost." I laughed, shoving him away. "I think your pilot is getting impatient." I smiled and nodded at the dark figure waving them over madly. "Have fun!" Ben and I waved as they ran back and climbed into the chopper, waving back as they buckled themselves in.

We stood there in silence until they'd disappeared and we were back in the cover of slight moonlight.

"It's dark." Benny whispered, laying his head on my shoulder.

I smiled. "It's alright, baby. There's nothing to fear here, come on, Mutt." I felt the little hair ball get off of my foot and tug on the lead. I walked back to the Enzo and put both of my precious cargos in the driver's seat and turned on the headlights. "Wait there, Benny. I'll be back in a sec-don't play with the buttons." He was a good boy, when he was told not to do something, he didn't do it. "Mutt, sit!" My quivering white ball quickly hid behind the brake pedal. Poor baby, what had Danny done to traumatise him? I smirked. Mutt had probably traumatised Danny just as bad.

I got the stuff and jammed it into the boot and put the car seat into the passenger. Strapped Benny in, removed the dog from behind the brake and drove out.

"So, what are we doing first?" I asked brightly, smiling over at my beautiful boy. The closest I would ever get to a child of my own.

He thought about it for a moment, his forehead creasing in concentration. "Ice cream!" He yelled suddenly.

I laughed and turned left to go into Forks instead of straight back to the res, which suited me just fine. "Sounds like a plan, little man."

He giggled bubbly, in that voice that all little kids seem to possess that makes your heart melt. Yeah, he's totally the most spoilt kid in the world when he's with me. We talked all the way to the diner in Forks, which admittedly wasn't far, but Ben could talk under wet cement and his speech is very good for a child his age. That probably has something to do with the flash cards his father is always shoving down his neck.

Dan is a brilliant father, it's just he's a little…early on the teaching side of things.

Pulling up and securing Mutt to a post out of harms way, I carried him into the warm, homely diner and chose a window seat. The waitress, a short, curvy, blonde girl with thick glasses, braces and a brilliant smile to match was quick to serve us.

"Hi, I'm Steph, what can I get ya's?" She grinned at us, putting her pen to the pad in her hand.

"We'll have two chocolate sundaes, thanks." I replied, smiling at her attitude. Most teenage waitresses and waiters I'd come across were like the ice queen reincarnated.

"And a pink soda!" Ben added from opposite, pulling his worn tan teddy bear up onto the table top. I'd gotten it for him when he was born.

I chuckled and rolled my eyes at the girl who giggled. "And a pink soda, please,"

"Not a problem, it'll be ready in a jiffy!" She said and bounced off.

"Aunty Evie?" Ben asked after a moment.

"That's my name, don't wear it out." I answered automatically. "How can I help you, honey?"

"What's a…jif-fee?" He always had questions.

"It means soon, sweets, the nice lady will bring your sundae out soon."

"Oh…"

I chuckled, kids, gotta love them. I jumped when a hand landed on my shoulder, I looked up, ready to tell whoever it was off but the words died in my mouth.

"Hello, Evie." Charlie laughed. "Sorry I startled you, mind if I sit?"

I smiled and gestured to the empty spaces either side of Ben and I. "Charlie, of course you can!"

He slid into the seat next to me and smiled at Ben, tipping his hat to him before taking it off. "I didn't know you had a kid, Eves."

"Oh, no," I said, swallowing the pang in my chest. "He's not mine, he's my godson. I'm just baby sitting. Charlie, this is Ben Livingston. Ben, this is Charlie Swan, he's the boss of law around here."

Benny made an 'o' shape with his mouth and smiled shyly at Charlie, who extended his hand over the table for him to shake. He stared at the much larger hand for a moment then looked at me, and when I nodded encouragingly, he cautiously took Charlie's hand and shook it.

"Welcome to Forks, kiddo, you staying out at La Push?"

Benny shrugged, squeezing his bear to his chest. "I dunno,"

I laughed. "You are, BB. We're staying at my cousin's place…" I paused, briefly wondering if I maybe should have at least yelled out that I'd be bringing back a young child, small dog and shit load of stuff home with me to said cousin.

Charlie nudged me. "You wouldn't have happened to have not told Sam you were going to be looking after this kid, would you?"

"In my defence it was a very last minute thing. Like I only found about half an hour ago. I didn't have time to tell Sam." I wondered what their reactions would be when I waltzed in with a toddler younger then Claire in my arms. Probably panic, knowing the boys. This would be fun. I'd have to make up some ridicules story as to why they were all massive for Benny though. So he wasn't scared of them, I couldn't use the steroids option, since any mention of drugs made the three year old more nervous.

Sometimes I really wish his parents, though I love them both to death, would've waited to teach him things. I mean, he's three for heaven's sake!

Charlie just laughed and waved off any concern I had. "They won't mind. One more tiny mouth to feed in that place is hardly going to bother Sam and Emily."

"I'll just have to make sure he doesn't get squashed." I returned dryly, brightening up when the waitress returned with our orders. She set a chocolate sundae and the pink soda down in front of Ben and the other sundae in front of me.

"There ya's go, enjoy. Hi Charlie, what I can I get ya?" She asked happily.

Charlie smiled at her. "Just the usual thanks, Steph,"

"Coming right up!" And she bounced off again.

"I thought you were only out for the weekend, thought you'd skipped off without coming to see me." He turned his attention back to us, watching Benny shovel a large spoonful of the cold, yummy substance into his mouth and probably wondering how he didn't get a brain freeze. I wondered the same thing.

"Benjamin," I scolded softly. "Don't eat it like that; you'll give yourself a headache."

True to small child form, he looked sheepish and spat half of it back onto the spoon.

I scrunched my nose as Charlie laughed. "And don't do that either, that's disgusting. Jay's been around you again, hasn't he? I swear, one day I'll kill that man for rubbing off on you…" I suddenly got the horrible thought of what he could pick up whilst among the La Push guys. I shuddered. "It's been decided that I'm now staying until Thursday. Don't worry, Charlie, I haven't forgotten about you."

He laughed and gave me a one armed hug then we settled into conversation.

oOo

It was late when I finally pulled up in front of Sam's. Too late for Benny, who'd fallen asleep before I'd even gotten him back out to the car. Charlie and I had lost track of time catching up, which was evident when we were eventually kicked out of the diner so they could close.

To my surprise there were lights on in the house. I didn't know if they'd still be at the bonfire or in bed. As I stifled a yawn I knew where I wanted to be. Smiling at the peaceful figures of my godson and dog, curled up fast asleep in the seat made me wish I had a camera on me. Quietly, I got them both out without waking Ben up and carried him inside while Mutt lagged along behind me.

The TV was on, but I didn't take any notice of who was in there. I smiled weakly at Sam, Tasha, Leah and Seth and ignored Black. They were all sitting around the table. It looked like I'd disrupted a deep conversation.

"Oh, Eva!" Tasha sighed in relief.

"Shhh!" I hissed, cradling Ben closer as if to protect him from the eyes that quickly zoomed in on him. "You wake him and I'll kill you."

Sam was frowning. "You've brought a kid home?"

I rolled my eyes. "Well done, genius. I'll put him upstairs, and then we'll discuss this." Without waiting, or worrying, about his answer I silently ascended the stairs and entered my room. I laid Ben on the bed and tucked him in, no idea where else to put him. Mutt leapt up next to him and curled up to his side. I kissed Ben's forehead and patted Mutt affectionately before leaving the room. I left a door ajar a little to let some light in, in case he woke.

As soon as I stepped foot off the last step, I was bombarded. Tasha flew up out of her seat and crushed me into another hug. I rolled my eyes and disentangled us. "Really, Tasha, I haven't come back from the dead."

"You just went to get Ben? Where on earth did you get him from? Why?" She fired the questions at me at a million miles per hour.

I made an annoyed noise and went to the coffee pot. "Yes, I obviously went to get Ben. I got him from his parents, funnily enough, because their both going on a business trip and obviously couldn't take him with them. And I am his godmother therefore I am the best person to look after him. I had about as much warning as you."

"He is your godson…right?" Sam asked tentatively.

I rolled my eyes to the ceiling. "Yes he's my godson, isn't that what I just said?" I made myself a coffee and went back to the table, slumping into the chair next to Leah tiredly. "How'd the rest of the bonfire go? Did Paul totally kick Max's arse?"

As soon as I mentioned Max, I saw Black go ridged out of the corner of my eye. 'Good.' Inner voice snapped miserably. 'Hope it's torturing him, hope it hurts to the core, hope it burns like a hot iron on flesh.' I turned away from him more, blocking him completely from my vision. Dear lord, what was that?

"Yeah, Paul kicked Max's arse, totally wiped the floor with him." Seth chortled happily.

"Mmhm, then I kicked both their arses." Leah put in, quite obviously pleased with herself. I was too. "And Kevin's and Quil's for good measure."

"You should totally be taking notes from your sister." I told Seth casually. "The guys around here hit like girls, I won't see you turn into a chick."

Sam scowled playfully at me. "Are you saying I'm a chick?"

I thought about it. "Maybe not you," I decided. "Since it's proven we're related and people actually know that we are. I can't be caught with a dude-chick for an older cousin."

"I think…that I'm going to take that as a compliment. And that you think that I'm not one because I'm not, and not because I'm your cousin." He said slowly.

I reached across the table and patted his hand. "That's the best option. Now, if you people will kindly excuse me, there's work to be done and sleep to be had." I stood, took my empty mug to the sink then walked out to the Enzo. I had just popped the boot and taken one of the overloaded nappy bags out when the weight was plucked from my hand.

I stared at Black with narrowed eyes as my whole body tensed. He avoided looking me in the eye and instead leaned around me to gather the other bags, loading himself with all of them.

"What are you doing?" I managed to ask, trying to keep my voice low and calm. Trying to ignore the heat that I could feel off him, and how it prickled my skin and threatened to make me shiver. I tried not to notice how the weight of the load didn't affect him at all. Where Danny had been struggling, Black looked like he'd picked up a feather.

"I'm helping you." He replied, his voice was stiff but still flowed like hot honey. He stood straight with the bags and finally looked at me. In the dimmed light I could only just make out his expression. He looked worn and rugged. Like someone who hadn't slept in days even though he had looked fine this morning, a little pissed and slightly delusional but fine otherwise.

"I don't need your help." I ground out, trying to take the stuff from him but he just held it out of my reach. "Don't be stupid, what the hell are you playing at?"

"You lied to me." He mumbled after a stretch of silence as I tried in vein to control my anger and not rip him to teeny tiny shreds.

Why did he cause these reactions in me? It was like he was a virus attacking the wall of my control. Whatever emotion he provoked in me, it was getting harder and harder not to show it. I couldn't slip, just couldn't loose control.

"Excuse me?" I started mentally tearing myself to shreds as my stomach constricted and started trying to tie itself in knots at his physically pained expression, and that he remembered when I said I'd lied. Why had I said I'd lied! What is wrong with me! Why not just say I'd forgotten that one! Why make more questions and things harder for myself?

I must subconsciously enjoy being mentally tortured and so inflict these situations on myself purposely. This probably makes me the stupidest person on the planet, or the most deeply disturbed.

"You lied," He choked out. He looked like someone had punched him in the gut. No, worse, kicked him in the balls. "About the languages you could speak." Like I didn't know what he was talking about. "Why did you lie?" He whispered the last part, his eyes pleading with me to answer him.

"I don't want to speak to you." I snapped, tearing my eyes away from his and biting my tongue until I tasted blood. 'Protect the job, protect the secrets, protect your team, protect yourself.' Another headline lesson drummed into me during training. 'Never divulge information to any undeserving party, and even if they are deserving, don't tell them anything without proper authorisation.' Black is not deserving, nor has anyone authorised him to know anything about me. "I'm not speaking to you."

I tried to walk away but he grabbed me, dropping half the bags in the process but he didn't seem to notice, or care. "Please, Evie! Please, I'm begging you, don't do this!"

'Don't do what, exactly?' His grasp on me was solid and I couldn't escape. "Let me go." I snarled, kissing calm and collected goodbye along with control. "I swear, Jacob Black, if you don't let me go you won't live to see tomorrow…."

He reluctantly released me, the pained expression only deepening. "I'm sorry, Eva. I'm so sorry. Please believe me when I say I can't help it…"

"You can't help this? What you're doing to me?" I said disbelievingly and scoffed. "Pull the other one, its got bells on it." I grabbed the bags and high-tailed it to the house and straight up the stairs.

I nearly forgot that Benny was in my room as I pushed the door open and dropped the bags angrily at the bottom of my bed. I quickly remembered when I heard his whimper and Mutt's incessant gurgling type snoring. Running a hand through my hair helplessly, I sighed and perched on the edge of the mattress.

I smoothed my fingers through his soft blonde curls, his innocent eyes flickering half open to look at me questioningly. "I'm sorry I woke you, sweetheart." I said, leaning down to kiss his forehead. "Go back to sleep, everything's okay."

He nodded drowsily and shut his eyes, quickly falling back into peaceful slumber.

I pulled my shoes off and changed in the bathroom then slipped into bed. Absentmindedly playing with Benny's hair as he snuggled into my side and Mutt ended up lying across my feet. My mind was locked on the soul-killing expression adorned on the russet face that appeared in front of my vision every time I closed my eyes. I cursed mentally as I couldn't block it, or stop the twisting feeling in my stomach as I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to sleep.

A/N: Maybe Evie's finally loosing her mind? Some Jake-induced confusion there anyway lol. Progress is progress, isn't it? (:

Anyway I hope you enjoyed it. Lemme know what you thought!

Please review! Press the button, press it press it press it! :D

~Meg xx