A/N I did it! I finished the chapter. Just a warning there is a time skip. Anyway enjoy.

Chapter 10

"Carlisle she can't be an IA. You out of people know how much training that takes. The preparing, the psychological awareness, she isn't qualified for the area." Edward exclaimed stepping around me.

"Miss. Swan shows aptitude for far more than we had anticipated. Throughout her exam, she not only was aware of her surroundings, but alert of herself and others. She not only exited the building worrying about her own safety, but took extra measures to ensure the safety of the civilians. A procedure she was not taught but rather had it come instinctively even when under pressure. She may not have the proper training but she has the qualification within her." Carlisle explained sternly.

"She will be this divisions second IA, and will be continuing to train on the job. " Charlie added on.

"But if she's this division second IA then that means-" Alice wondered out loud.

"She's Edward's partner." Carlisle confirmed.

"What? No. Carlisle no. You know I don't want a partner, I don't need a partner, I will more than gladly continue to train her. But I don't want her as my partner." Edward argued through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry Edward but this is not up for discussion, she will be your partner, she will be an IA, and she will stay in this division. She's more than capable of learning, and she has it in her. " Esme smiled at me at the last sentence.

"But Esme, you have to-" he pleaded.

"I'm sorry but that is final." She cut him off.

"I told you they would get you a partner you couldn't get rid of." Rosalie interjected. Edward nodded stiffly, then went around the three major leaders and pushed past the door forcefully.

I closed my eyes and sighed, just when he had started to relax around me BAM! Something happens and screws us up.

"Bella if you'll follow us, we have a few things to discuss." Esme said extending her arm in the direction of Alice's office.

"Of course." I nodded and made my way over. Standing nervous in her office I fidgeted with my hair.

"Well first things first, well done dear." Esme hugged me gently and I hugged her back.

"Thank you."

"Yes you did impressively, quite honestly we all underestimated you, I'm sorry for that." Carlisle apologized.

"Its OK, not a lot is expected from a 16 year old. So underestimation is nothing new." I shrugged.

"Yes but here, we expect much more than regular coaches do, and we treated you differently due to bias. So we're sorry for that, but moving on. You showed great skills that are found in few, we believe that placing you as tech would be a waste of skill." Carlisle explained as he sat on the couch against the wall. "We believe that you can do more good as a field agent, helping to bring in hostages and helping other people. So we ask that you take on the most dangerous task we have."

"Um, being a field agent?" I answered.

"No, being Edwards partner." Esme laughed softly.

"Whats the deal with that? Why is he so touchy on the subject?" I asked confused.

Charlie sighed and leaned against the desk, "When Edward was training to be an IA, at 14 he was taken as a tag along. This was right before his graduation, he wanted to see how the professionals did it. So we had two IAs, partners, take him out on a mission. It was supposed to be a simple interrogation, unfortunately things went amiss, and one of IAs was injured. The second IA left with Edward and the information. The injured IA died." He explained.

"Sometimes," Carlisle interjected, "when we can't do it all, we have a decision to make. Agent Williams decided to save a life he knew he could save, and the evidence that would incriminate the person that injured his partner. He counted on the fact that Agent Fuentes could cover himself until he returned or managed to get help. Unfortunately, we aren't perfect, and he could not cover himself. Edward returned with one agent, and with the idea that partnerships only add to the risk of life."

I sat down in a chair and took the information in.

"So he thinks that if I become his partner, he runs a higher risk of dying than if he were alone?" I asked trying to understand what they had said.

"More or less yes." Esme sighed.

"But, but can't he see that I'm supposed to make his job easier? Lift some of his load? Besides he's right, I'm not qualified to be his partner. He's had 14 years of training and 3 on the job where as I've had 2 weeks. Attempting to do such a thing is suicidal. I lack preparation. The area requires psychological equilibrium, and a certain grasp of mind games. I'll be eaten alive out there." My head pounded and I buried it in my hands. What had I gotten myself into?

"Bella, an IA only uses their training, but they depend on instinct, and that is something you can't teach. Not everybody is meant to be a field agent, you may not realize it, but you are meant to be one." Charlie countered.

"So what now?" I looked up from my hands, there's no use fighting both sides.

...

I entered the key into my door knob and unlocked the door. Carlisle had spent an hour explaining the basics, and giving me everything I needed. I had my own personal set of blades (including an engraved 6 inch knife which was beautiful. Yeah , yeah who gets excited over receiving knives for present?), my private account, and my car. Although the car was unnecessary, they insisted I would need it eventually.

I heard keys jingle and I saw Edward exiting his apartment. I knew he could tell I was there, he frowned and looked everywhere but at me.

I pushed open my door, but didn't enter. He walked away without a glance at me, but as he passed me he quietly said "Tomorrow at 5." And that was that, he entered the elevator and disappeared. After a quiet sigh, I entered my living room. More training, how that would go I had no idea.

...

2 weeks later

Things between Edward and I were...tough to say the least. He didn't speak to me unless he was giving instructions or explaining a part of procedure. Division one had completely opened up to me, but I still received stares from a few of the other agents.

My muscles had hardened and become more prominent. Luckily because of Nana, I was fluent in more than one language. Had she been preparing me for this I had no clue, but she made me speak English, Spanish, Italian, and French. So I skipped that lesson in Spy 101. But I did have to read dozens of psychology books, and acting tips. I had to be able to be the perfect liar and detect the other liars at the same time.

It was exhausting, I always thought you were one or the other, but in this business you got stuck in the middle of a lot of things. Everyday I practiced different fighting techniques and my dummies were the proud men of the agency who wanted to go against the rookie. Not to brag but I did kick some of their asses, unfortunately I did get my ass handed to me sometimes and I'd always end up with a big black and blue memoir of it. But I learned something new everyday.

"The target: Leslie Evans. Your goal is to bring her in for interrogation, she holds the last piece of information we need to close this case." Alice explained as she handed Edward and I a file. "She will be at this location," she pointed to picture of a bar, "as far as we know she has no accompaniment tonight but it is possible that she may have a partner with her, if that is the case you need to get her alone, we only want her."

I leaned back in my chair at the conference table, "Do we have an I.D on her? A visual?" I asked flipping through her information.

"No, we believe that Leslie Evans is an alias and unfortunately we can't pin point for who at the moment. But it shouldn't be too hard to figure out who's who." Rose answered from where she was typing away at the computer.

"Alright well I'll be back in no time." Edward said standing up and pushing the file away.

"This is simple enough, maybe Bella should go this time." Alice suggested quietly.

"No." He shot the idea down...again. He was putting on his jacket, getting ready to leave.

"Why not? I can so do this." I defended. Over the past two weeks he's been going out alone, saying I wasn't ready and all that crap. So I had just been sitting around in my office twirling in my seat. I was starting to get annoyed.

"That won't be necessary I'll do it." He answered, unbothered.

"But were supposed to be a team, you can't do all the work." I argued.

"I have before, I don't see why now is any different." He shrugged.

"Because now you have me, and I am tired of just sitting around all day. How am I supposed to get any better if you wont let me do anything?!" I shouted frustrated.

He whipped around and stared coldly at me. "When the time comes you'll go out on as many missions as you please, but until then I will go and I will go alone."

"Edward," I said standing up and crossing my arms, "I can do this one. I'm not saying I'm a freaking pro already, but I can handle this one at least." I stated sternly.

He took three long strides and he was standing right in front of me, glaring down. "You aren't ready, when you are you'll go." He said dangerously quiet.

"That is a bunch of bull and you know it!" I shouted angry at him and at me. I had been tiptoeing around the eggshells, but I was done. Let the eggshells crack. "I'll never go out because to you I'll never be ready! There will always be something wrong, something I can't do. You will always have an excuse Edward! Why won't you let me go?" He locked his jaw and walked away from Me.

"I'm done talking about this Isabella." He muttered without looking back. He walked out the door and left me hanging.

"Oh you don't. Not this time." I murmured and stalked out after him. The elevators doors were closing and I just barely managed to squeeze through.

"Why Edward?" I demanded leaning on the opposite wall of him.

He rolled his eyes a stared at the ceiling, "Why can't you just let it go Isabella?"

"Because you won't let it go Edward!" I argued. "What is it?! Pride!? Ego!? Afraid I'm going to replace you Cullen?!" he kept staring at the ceiling his jaw locked. "Why!?" I demanded, but my answer was silence. "Tell me!" I shouted frustrated, I stepped up to him and banged my fists against his chest.

"It's too dangerous for you Bella!" He shouted at me, wrapping his hands around my fists. Preventing me from hitting him. "It's too dangerous ok? I know what you can do,I fear not for my pride but for your well being!" He shouted shaking me. "You're good, no you're amazing! I've never met anybody like you, but you're too trusting! Too naive! If I let you out there I'm afraid they're going to kill that in you. The world is a cruel place Bella, and it preys on the innocent, leaving nothing but darkness. I don't want anything to happen to you!"

I stared at him wide eyed, shocked. It slowly wore off, replaced instead by anger. I yanked my wrists out of his grasp and glared at him. "I appreciate your concern, but you do not get to decide for me. I'm the one making my decisions, I'm the one owning up for my mistakes, if I screw up my life the so be it! But it was due to me! Nobody else. I choose what to do with my life, and I choose to go out there and be a part of this!" I shouted at him, shaking in place from all the emotions swirling in me.

"No Bella! I won't allow it, you will die out there!" He shouted. I took in a deep breath ready to respond, but then the elevators door opened. It wasn't for the lobby, it stopped at the fifth floor and Tanya was waiting to get on.

"Oh, hey Edw-" she started saying her false sweet tone.

"NOT NOW!" We both shouted at her, Edward punched the close doors button and we continued our descent.

"Why do you care?" I grumbled.

In the blink of an eye, he acted. The next thing I knew I was pressed against the wall, his body pressed against mine, his hands pinning my hands to the wall, and his green eyes alive and burning.

"I don't know. You're right, I shouldn't care. I should let you go out there and let you face whatever fate you have in store, but I can't! I think of you ending up like me, cold, bitter, and alone; and I can't stand the thought of it!" He was shaking and as effect I shook too.

"But Edward you're not alone, and if you'd let me be your partner you wouldn't have to be alone in this!" I pleaded.

"There are different types of alone Bella, and I'd rather be every single type of alone that put you at risk." He uttered, his eyes and tone pleading me to let it go. I sighed and closed my eyes, relenting. His body relaxed and my hands slowly slid until they were at my side, hanging loose with his hands still around my wrists. "I know you think I'm insane, but that's exactly what I want to keep you away from." He whispered quietly resting his forehead on the wall beside my head.

I could feel his warmth radiating from him, and it slowly eased and relaxed my body, until I was completely limp. Pretty soon the elevator dinged and the doors opened, i didn't open my eyes but I felt his body back away from mine, and soon his warmth was gone. The click of the doors closing passed, and the whir of the elevator rising soothed me.

Is that how it's going to be Isabella? He says something sweet and you back off? Where is YOUR pride, forget his' for a sec, and think about yours? Where's the girl who refused to be shaped by society? The girl who learned to play fencing because of pride?

If this is how it's going to be every time he asks something of you, you'll never get anywhere. It's time to take a stand Isabella. Get your priorities straight, forget Mr. Greek God, and think! Who do you want to be?! Why are you here? Why train so hard? What's the point to your game Bella?

The elevator dinged and the doors opened, I straightened and opened my eyes. "You're right." I murmured.

Course I am.

I swiftly walked into the office and headed for my office. I ran to my desk and rummaged through the drawers. "Where are you?" I murmured out loud. I looked under a yellow Manila folder and found my car keys.

"Bella are you okay?" Alice asked, poking her head through the doorway.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I answered as I stepped around her, "Hey Rose, did Edward take his head piece?" I asked as I looked through the papers on the big table.

"Um... Let me check." She typed away at the keyboard and looked through some files. "Ed?" She asked.

"I told you not to call me that Rose." An annoyed voice was heard on the surround system. I ran to her side with a pen and note pad, everybody gave me a weird look.

Don't let him know I asked. I wrote down.

"I just wanted to know if you would be on the system with us today." Rose answered casually.

"Yeah since we didn't have a visual aid, I will need to have direct contact for more info." He said, unaware of anything.

"Understood." She answered.

Mute this end. I wrote under the above line.

She clicked some buttons and pulled down her head set around her neck. "What's up?" She asked curious.

"I need an ear piece but I need you to program it so I can hear everything you guys and Edward say, but he can't hear me." I said, not bothering to explain.

"He would have to have taken the one way ear piece." Ben shook his head.

I bit my lip, and tried to think. "What are you up to?" Jasper questioned.

"I'm not waiting around anymore, I'm going there, and I need to know everything he knows but i don't want him to know I'm there." I explained, pacing.

"Well you can use a regular earpiece, and we won't connect it until you text us you're there. Then you just have to listen in." Emmett suggested.

We all turned to look at him, Emmett rarely suggested good ideas, hearing that come out of his mouth shocked us all. "What? I had a salad earlier today." He shrugged.

"Ok you heard him, as soon as I let you know, connect me and do not speak to me. Just text me." I grabbed my stuff off of the table as I quickly walked out.

"Wait Bella!" Alice called out after me. "Women are too memorable in bars, at least change your aspect a little." She said handing me a small plastic container and bag. I nodded and rushed away. The elevator ride down was excruciatingly slow, like it knew I was in a rush and it mocked me.

Before the doors had completely opened, I was already out and round the corner into the garage. I quickly got into my new Honda and sped off to the bar, the address clear in my mind. My body was filled with adrenaline, all the way there I tapped my thumbs on the steering wheels, anxious.

When I neared the place, I parked a few stores away, instead of right near it. Before stepping out of the car, I opened the container Alice had given me. Inside were two small green contacts. Then I looked inside the bag to find a caramel color wig; about 3 shades lighter than my natural hair color. I quickly the contacts in, I adjust the wig on my head- trying to make it look as natural as possible, then stepped out of the car. It was lightly pouring outside, so I did a quick jog to the bar.

Once inside I chose a small table for two, that was against wall. I sat down and texted Alice that I had arrived. Instantly I could hear Edward talking to the bartender.

"Jeez looks like a shower is upon us." The young man stated, out of the corner of my eye I could see him staring out the window.

"It really doesn't surprise me anymore, although it still does annoy the heck out of me." Edward responded.

I didn't want to look conspicuous so I grabbed the menu from its holder and went over it's items.

"Its kinda quiet in here, don't get a lot of customers?" Edward asked the bartender.

"No we do, only they're all mainly regulars. So they each have a different schedule, they show up at a specific time, go through their routine, and then are on their way. It's actually kind of nice, you know what to expect from them and you don't get a lot of fights." He answered as he poured Edward a beverage.

"Regulars huh?" Edward repeated.

"Yeah," the young man smiled, "like ol' Billy here in the red plaid shirt, he comes everyday 6:00 p.m after his shift down at the fish market. He has 2 beers and a plate if peanuts." I looked over at the man and saw him reading a book on ancient quilliette myths.

"But since today is game night, all the guys come in at 7:30 to watch the race, they place bets and drink like crazy." The bartender added and laughed. Edward chuckled and checked his watch.

"It's 7:20, almost time."

"I should probably start getting the cups ready, excuse me." The bartender said walking away to the back. I prayed Edward didn't look around, focusing intently on my menu, I tried my best to blend in.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, I took it out to see I had one message.

You look like you're having a panic attack, calm down. -3 Alice.

I looked up confused, how'd they know that? My phone vibrated in my hand again.

We hacked into the security cameras, now breathe!-3 Alice.

Easy for you to say, trying to look casual by ordering a drink without speaking!-Bella

Do you even drink?-3 Alice

I...do not know.- Bella.

I'd tasted beer before, but honestly liquor wasn't that appealing to me.

Suddenly the door banged open and in walked a tall muscular man, he headed straight for the bar.

"Mr. Evans! How are you today?" The bartender greeted him with great enthusiasm.

"Eh, I've had better days," he said with a slight accent. "And I've told you to call me by my first name." Italian maybe? Russian?

"Right sorry, Leslie." The bartender apologized. Wait did he say Leslie?

"I'll have my usual please." He said and went to sit down at a table diagonal to mine.

I heard Edward chuckle softly. "So Leslie, is a guy." Alice wondered out loud.

"Yup." Jasper confirmed.

"Well oops." She answered.

"Wait that can't be, Leslie is a ... Wait never mind." I heard Emmett say int the background.

"That complicates things a little, but not too much." Edward stated. Maybe for him but not for me. I slid off my jacket and brushed my wet hair aside.

"Rose run a facial recognition, see if we can find out who this guy really is." I heard Alice through the earpiece. It was microscopic but worked wonderfully.

"Guys where's Bella? I haven't heard her at all this whole time." he asked skeptical.

Without missing a beat I answered, "I'm right here Edward." I had my phone to my ear making it seem as if I were talking to someone. Edward remained with his back to me, none the wiser that I was a few feet away.

"I need a way to get to the guy, any info rose?" He asked.

"Give a sec, I need a good shot of him." She answered and I heard the tapping of buttons.

I grabbed some napkins and wiped my neck, getting rid of the rain. I dried my hands and my chest as well.

"What can I get you Miss?" The waiter asked me. Well so much for my cover.

"Ill have the BLT and a Cuba libre please." I answered him. He nodded and walked away, I watched him go and made eye contact with Leslie. I didnt look away and smiled at him, he smiled back and nodded. I arched eyebrow and looked away. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Edward stiffen, oh brother. This won't be good.

I took look around the room and spotted the camera, oh that's why they could see me, I was right in the shot if it.

"Your drink, and your sandwich will be right out." The waiter said as he put down a tall glass in front of me.

"Thank you." I said, taking the glass. It felt cold against my hands, I toyed with the straw for while, just staring at the drink, then after a while I decided to take a drink from it. It tasted sweet at first, it wasn't that bad, until the punch at the end. That's when you tasted the liquor, definitely wasn't expecting that and I flinched as it slid down my throat.

I heard chuckling and i looked up to the tall man, Leslie.

"Don't drink much huh?" He asked leaning back in his chair amused, I looked embarrassed, I flipped the hair away from my face and looked up at him.

"I'm used to...finer drinks." I said smiling slightly. "Since my day wasn't going as planned I thought I might as well have the drink that accompanies it." I shrugged with straw again.

"And what were your plans for the day? If you don't mind my asking." He gave me a half smile.

I smirked and shook my head, "I was supposed to meet up with a girlfriend of mine, but she just called and canceled on me. Now I'm kind of stuck here; since she was supposed to be my tour guide for tonight."

He chuckled again and called the waiter, "A glass of your finest wine for the lady please." He ordered.

"That's really not necessary." I shook my head.

"I insist, a way of saving what's left of the day. If you can't have the day you were hoping for, then you must have the drink of your liking." He said and I was more convinced of a Russian accent.

"Well thank you sir." I grinned at him.

He put a hand up waving it off, "Call me Leslie."

The waiter brought over my glass of wine and took the other drink from me. "Thank you Leslie, you are very kind." I said as I lifted the glass. I had seen Nana drink wine many times before and she always smelled it. I did that and then took a sip.

"Is that better?" He asked.

"Immensely, thank you." I answered. The wine wasn't all that great either, but I could swallow it with out flinching or wanting to spit it out.

"What do you plan on doing now that your night is free?" He asked taking a drink from his Scotch.

"I don't know, its pouring out there, and I'm not familiar with the city." I shrugged, smiling sadly.

"Not from the city huh? Where do you travel from?"

"Arizona." I answered without pausing.

"Bella, I need you to get him to turn, I can't see his face from where he's sitting." Rose said into my ear.

"Why'd you let her come Alice?" Edward whispered furiously.

"I wasn't aware I was supposed to stop her." She retorted indignantly.

"Might I make a few suggestions for the night?" He asked snapping my attention back to him.

"Absolutely. What do you recommend for the night?" I asked smiling mischievously.

"There's a club down by the pier, only the elite are on this list, but I think I can get you in." He smiled and shivers ran down my spine.

"The pier! That's where the warehouse is! I'll send agents to scout the area. Great job, keep it up Bella." Ben said through the ear piece.

"A club? What's the price?" I asked smirking.

"I don't know, a dance? Or how bout you tell my friends I'm the most charming and witty man you've met?"

I laughed "I think I can manage that." I agreed and he smiled.

"Shall we go?" He asked and I nodded. I left money on the table, grabbed my jacket, and walked to him. He put on his jacket and grabbed his things.

"Wait, you got something on your back." I said, he turned around so I could take it off. When he did, bam! Right in the center of the camera.

"Thank you very much, now I'll run him through the data base." Rose said.

We walked out and headed down the street, "Did you arrive in your own car?" He asked.

"Taxi." I corrected.

"Then follow me, my car is this way." He extended his arm down an alley. Oh boy.

I nodded and headed in. "So what do you do?" I asked casually.

"I'm in the exporting business." He answered.

"Your own product?" I asked.

"I don't make them but yes." He said reaching into his pocket.

I kept my eye on his hand and kept walking.

"Holy shit! He's Demetri Belkov! The most powerful Russian slave trader ever. Bella get out of there!" Rose shouted.

His arm muscles clenched meaning he had grabbed something, I made sure to keep my distance but he seemed to be getting closer.

"Ow wait, there's a rock in my shoe." I said bending down to fix my converse. As discretely as possible, I pulled a toothpick sized metal rod from inside of jeans. I saw his hand rise and ready for a strike. As his hand came down I dove out of the way surprising him. He quickly turned around and came at me but before I could get up to fight Edward was in front of me, fighting him.

I tried looking for exposed flesh but they were in constant movement. Although Demetri was bigger Edward was fast, he managed to keep up. But then Demetri over powered him and brought out a knife. I immediately jumped into action, grabbing his arm, I jabbed the rod into him. He collapsed and knocked out.

"Tranquilizer?" Edward breathed airy.

"Mhm." I confirmed.

"Garrett, Benjamin, you read me?" He asked.

"Loud and clear." Answered a voice on the other side.

"Come and take this piece of trash to HQ." He ordered.

"Already here boss. Rose sent us as soon as she knew, we were a couple of minutes away." He answered walking up behind him, and bending over the guy.

"Okay you take him back, and Benjamin take Bella's car." He said grabbing my arm and fishing my keys out of my pocket.

"But-" I interjected.

Edward tossed my keys to Benjamin and then yanked me away to his car.

"Get in. Now." He demanded sternly. I walked over to the passengers side and got in. He slipped into the drivers seat and slammed his door shut. He looked furious. I was almost too afraid to speak. Almost.

A/N tun tun tuuuunnnn . what did y'all think? I'm sorry for all the mistakes but I was too lazy to go back and review this one. I just wanted get it out there. Plus I did half on my phone, and that always screws things up. See ya! R/R