AN: Damn, this is a long one. Do y'all prefer long chapters, or do you want them split up? Let me know! Either way, I'll see you at the bottom... it's only gonna get worse for our detectives from this point, everyone... (before it gets better anyway).
I appreciate the wishes of good luck and kind words you guys left me about school! A little more detailed background, I am ending my first semester of my third year of pharmacy school, so I'm almost there. I'm happy to say that, regarding my exam, I actually did well on it! Finals is the, well, the final stretch for the semester, and then updates should be everyday again. But for now, every other day or every few days!
Edward unlocked his apartment door, balancing a bag of Chinese takeout in one hand and his keys in the other. The smell of lo mein and orange chicken wafted out, a small comfort after the draining day. Kicking off his shoes, he made his way to the couch, flipping on the TV as he set the food on the coffee table. He rotated through a couple of channels before FOX13 made him pause—Ashton's mug shot was flashing across the screen.
The news anchor's polished voice filled the room. "In today's top story, Ashton Fullerton has been charged with the murder of Catherine Brennen, the ex-wife of popular influencer Seven Domani. Sources indicate that Fullerton's confession has stunned many in the industry."
Edward groaned inwardly, sinking into the couch with his takeout container in hand. The screen shifted to a clip of Seven, dressed in a subdued black suit. To his credit, he looked genuinely devastated, his usual theatrics replaced by a rare sincerity.
"I don't even know what to say," Seven began, his voice breaking slightly. "Catherine was—she was everything. She deserved better than this. And Ashton? Someone I trusted? It's… it's betrayal on every level."
Edward exhaled heavily, shoveling a forkful of lo mein into his mouth. The events of the day was still pressing down on him, and he wasn't sure if he'd ever shake it off completely. He muted the TV, letting Seven's pained expression linger on the screen as he ate in silence.
The vibration of his phone broke the stillness. He grabbed it from the table, glancing at the screen.
Ma Calling
Edward sighed but answered with a small smile. "Hey, Ma."
"Edward!" Esme's warm voice bubbled through the line. "You finally answered. I was starting to think you forgot about me."
"I didn't forget, Ma," Edward said, leaning back against the couch. "Just been busy."
"Busy," Esme scoffed. "Too busy to call your mother? Carlisle, did you hear that? He's too busy for us."
Edward chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I'm talking to you now, aren't I?"
"Hmph. You're lucky I'm so forgiving," she teased, her tone light. "Now, tell me, are you eating enough?"
"I'm literally eating right now," Edward said, holding up a forkful of noodles as though she could see it through the phone.
"What is it? Is it something healthy?" Esme pressed, and Edward could hear Carlisle murmuring something in the background. "He says he's eating healthy, but I don't believe him," she reported to his dad.
"It's Chinese takeout, Ma," Edward admitted, slurping a noodle loudly into the phone.
Esme gasped. "Edward Anthony Masen, you are going to clog your arteries. You need to cook. Real food, Edward!"
Edward rolled his eyes, but a small smile played on his lips. "I know, Ma. I'll try."
"Don't lie to me, Edward," she said sternly, though her voice still held its warmth. "You're too skinny. You're not taking care of yourself."
"I'm fine," Edward said, though he knew she wouldn't buy it. He twirled his fork idly, the lo mein forgotten for the moment.
There was a pause on the line, then Esme's voice softened. "Are you really fine, sweetheart? After everything… are you okay?"
Edward tensed, leaning his head back against the couch. "I'm fine," he said again, but it lacked conviction.
"Are you still seeing someone? For your nightmares?" she asked gently.
Edward let out a long sigh, his free hand rubbing his face. "Ma…"
"Don't lie to me," she warned, her voice soft but firm. "I can tell when you're not telling me the truth, Edward."
Edward hesitated before relenting. "No, I'm not."
"Edward, please. You've been through so much. I worry about you. Will you try? For me?"
Edward stared at the muted TV, his mother's voice tugging at his stubbornness. After a long moment, he sighed. "Yeah, Ma. I'll try."
Esme's tone brightened slightly. "Thank you. That's all I ask. I love you, Edward."
"I love you too," he said, his voice soft.
After they said their goodbyes, Edward tossed his phone to the side and let his head fall back against the couch. The weight of the conversation lingered, pressing against the quiet of the room.
After a few moments, he grabbed his laptop from the coffee table and opened it. Typing "therapists near me" into the search bar, he scanned through the options. One name stood out, a therapist specializing in trauma and PTSD. Edward stared at the screen for a long moment before clicking to book an appointment.
He closed the laptop with a sigh, setting it aside. His gaze drifted to the cold takeout on the table, but his appetite was gone. The day was over, but the work on himself was just beginning.
…
Sometime later, Edward suddenly was yanked awake, his body drenched in sweat, his chest heaving as he let out a guttural scream. The sound was loud, ripping through the silence of his apartment. His hands clutched at his head as his breaths came out deep and heavy, his ribs aching from the intensity of his panic.
Edward swung his legs off the side of the bed, leaning forward with his elbows rested on his knees. He let out a frustrated sigh, wiped his eyes and ran a hand through his hair.
His phone buzzed softly beside him, startling him out of his daze. Grabbing it, he noticed a text from Bella. Surprised at her timing, he sat up straighter and his eyes flickered to the time—3:51 AM.
Bella: hey
Edward: Hey. You okay?
The ellipses in her text bubble jumped for a good thirty seconds, before her text came through.
Bella: yeah
He snorted softly, shaking his head. She was lying. He didn't need to see her face to know it. She probably hadn't even tried to sleep yet, and that worried the fuck out of him.
Before he could type a response, his phone buzzed again.
Bella: Are you?
Edward: Yes. And stop lying.
Her response came back almost immediately.
Bella: You first.
That brought a reluctant smile to Edward's lips. He leaned back into the couch, his heart rate finally beginning to slow. His fingers hovered over the keyboard before he typed again.
Edward: I was fine until you texted. You're very stressful, you know.
Bella: I have that effect.
Edward chuckled under his breath, feeling a small flicker of lightness creep into the room.
Edward: Among other things. Why are you awake, Swan?
In pure Bella fashion, she merely deflected.
Bella: Why are you awake?
He hesitated, his thumb hovering over the screen. He could lie. He could tell her he just happened to wake up, but the idea of lying to Bella didn't sit right.
Edward: Bad dream. You?
The typing bubble popped up almost immediately this time.
Bella: Same. And just can't sleep. Same old shit.
Edward: Wanna talk about it?
Bella: Not really. You?
Edward: Not really.
There was a pause, then another buzz.
Bella: Did yours involve a giant spider chasing you? Mine did.
Edward blinked, then a laugh escaped him before he could stop it.
Edward: That's the nightmare? lol
Bella: oh wow. not you laughing-out-loud at my fear. it was fucking horrifying. you weren't there so you wouldn't understand :P
Edward: I'm sorry, next time I'll make sure to heroically save you from the giant spider in your dream.
Bella: You'd better. Kinda rude, Masen
Edward shook his head, the smile lingering as he typed his reply.
Edward: Noted. Anything else I should be saving you from? Dragons? Killer clowns? Mosquitoes?
Bella: Mosquitoes are worse than clowns. They're literally minuscule vampires that fly. And now I'm regretting telling you, you big bully.
Edward leaned his head back against the couch, his body finally relaxing for the first time that night. The corner of his mouth twitched up as another message from Bella came through.
Bella: But seriously. Are you okay?
His smile faded slightly, though her concern warmed something deep in his chest. He thought for a moment before replying.
Edward: I'm working on it.
Bella: Good.
The simplicity of her response said more than any lengthy message could. He sighed and stared at his phone for a moment.
Edward: And seriously, are YOU okay?
Another pause. Edward started to assume she wouldn't answer, but his phone lit up with her response after a few more moments, echoing his words. .
Bella: I'm working on it.
He also threw her words—well, word, back at her, wanting her to know he understood. So fucking much, too.
Edward:Good.
Glancing at the time, he winced as he was reminded how late it was. They both had work tomorrow morning—technically later this morning.
Edward: You think you'll get some sleep?
Bella: Doubt it. You?
Edward: Probably not. Want me to call and bore you to sleep? I can recite traffic laws or something.
Bella: Tempting. But no. Just don't let the spider get you.
Edward's chest rumbled with another quiet laugh, his thumb moving to type one last message.
Edward: I won't. Goodnight, Bella.
Bella: Goodnight, Edward.
As the screen dimmed and the room fell quiet again, Edward felt a lingering sense of calm. He didn't really understand it—how Bella seemed to just stop the nightmares by being here. And then, talking to her now… they had so much unresolved shit but even simply texting her made him feel lighter. Less weighed down by the echoes of his fucking nightmares.
He set his phone down and leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling for a long moment. He hadn't lied—he probably wouldn't be able to fall back asleep.
After another beat of hesitation, he stood and dragged himself into the shower, the cold water shocking his body fully awake. Minutes later, he threw on some jeans and a clean gray t-shirt before grabbing his keys. The streets were nearly empty, the city wrapped in a stillness that made his drive to the precinct quick and uneventful.
When he pulled into the parking lot, his eyes immediately caught on a familiar car. He frowned, pulling into the empty spot beside it.
What the hell?
Edward stepped into the building, giving a curt wave to Paul, the overnight desk sergeant as he passed. As he approached the bullpen, the soft glow of a desk lamp came into view.
Bella was seated at her desk, her head bowed over a stack of files, pen moving as she jotted down notes. Her hair was tied back loosely, and the tired lines etched into her face looked even deeper in the dim light. Even still, she was beautiful.
Edward leaned against the doorway, watching her for a moment. She didn't notice him right away, too absorbed in her work, until the creak of the floor beneath his foot made her glance up. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"Edward," she said softly, setting her pen down. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
Bella leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Didn't think I'd see you tonight."
"Neither did I. Figured you'd be at home, ignoring your own advice."
Bella snorted quietly, the corner of her mouth twitching upward. "Look who's talking."
He breathed out a laugh, moving to his desk across from hers and pulling out his chair. He sat down, his hands resting on the edge of the desk as he watched her. "Did you even try to sleep?"
She shrugged, looking away briefly. "Clearly, you didn't either."
"Hmm," he hummed.
Bella glanced at him, her gaze softer now. "So, what's the plan? Stay here all night and hope paperwork bores us into unconsciousness?"
Edward smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Not your worst idea."
She let out a breath, tapping her pen against the desk. "I thought going through old case files might help me figure out how to close some of these." She gestured toward the small pile of papers on her desk. "But honestly, I think it's just a distraction."
He studied her for a moment, the faint smile fading from his lips. "You don't have to carry all of it, you know."
Bella met his gaze, her jaw tightening slightly. "It's not just about carrying it. It's about making sure it doesn't slip through the cracks."
"Sometimes it's okay to let go," Edward said quietly. "Just for a little while."
Bella looked at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she nodded, the slight movement barely noticeable. "Maybe."
Edward didn't push further, sensing she'd already given him more than she intended. Instead, he grabbed a stack of papers from his desk and began flipping through them. The two of them worked in companionable silence, the soft scratch of pens and rustling of papers filling the room oddly comforting in their simplicity.
After about twenty minutes, the radio on Bella's desk crackled to life, breaking the silence as dispatch's voice came through, "Units in the area, we've got a noise complaint at 43rd and Highwater. Any available patrol?"
Neither moved at first, waiting for one of the patrol units to chime in. The seconds stretched out, and when dispatch repeated the call, Edward sighed, leaning forward to grab the radio.
"2-Adam-12, we'll take it."
Dispatch responded promptly. "Copy that, 2-Adam-12. Report back with findings."
Edward set the radio down and looked over at Bella, "Feel like stretching your legs?"
Bella shrugged, pushing her chair back and standing. "Why not? Beats sitting here."
The ride through the streets was quiet both inside and car and out, with the occasional glow of streetlights casting fleeting shadows across the SUV's interior. Edward drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the gearshift, his focus on the nearly empty road ahead. Bella sat beside him, her elbow propped against the window as she stared out at the darkened city. Neither had spoken since they left the precinct, and the silence was starting to feel heavier than either of them could bear.
Finally, Edward broke it, his tone cautious. "Ready for the talk now?"
Bella sighed softly, turning her head just enough to glance at him. "Okay."
For a second, Edward didn't say anything, just flicked the blinker on as they slowed for a stop sign. Then he spoke, his voice low, "When you said… that we're too dependent on each other—what did you mean by that?"
Bella exhaled, already feeling the knot tighten in her chest. "I meant what I said, Edward. We've… gotten too close, too fast. And I don't know if that's a good thing. Not in our line of work, and especially not as partners."
Edward's jaw tensed slightly, but his voice stayed calm. "Too close?" He flicked a glance at her before looking back to the road. "So, what—you think caring about each other is some kind of weakness?"
"It's not about weakness," Bella said quickly. "It's about survival. I've spent my whole life only depending on myself. It's how I got here. It's how I survived."
"And you think I haven't?" Edward shot back, his tone sharper now. "Do you think I haven't had to survive on my own? You think I don't know what that's like?"
Bella closed her eyes briefly, pressing her fingers to her temple. "That's not what I meant. I'm not trying to make this a competition. But… you know what I'm talking about, Edward. We're both carrying enough shit already without leaning on each other like a crutch. What happens when one of us falls? We both go down."
Edward didn't respond right away. The SUV hummed softly as it rolled along the empty road, and for a moment, all Bella could hear was the faint sound of her own breathing. Then, quietly, Edward asked, "So what's the alternative? You keep pushing me away until it's 'safe' again? Until you're sure you don't need me anymore?"
Bella turned to look at him fully now, her voice softening. "It's not about not needing you, Edward. It's about not losing myself. And I see it in you too—you're just as tangled in this as I am."
Edward scoffed lightly under his breath, but there was no humor in it. "So what? I'm supposed to pretend I don't care? Pretend that watching you walk into that room with Ashton didn't…" He trailed off, his voice thick, his knuckles going white against the steering wheel.
Bella stared at him, waiting, but he didn't finish the thought. "Didn't what?"
Edward shook his head, his gaze fixed on the road ahead, his voice quieter now. "Didn't scare the fuck out of me. Didn't make me want to... hurt him for touching you."
Bella's breath hitched slightly, and for a long moment, neither of them spoke. Finally, she murmured, "I didn't want you to feel like that. But I did what I had to do, Edward. You know that."
"Yeah, I know," Edward replied, his voice low, tired. "I know why you did it, and I know you're good at your job. But it doesn't mean I have to like it."
Bella's shoulders sagged slightly as she turned back to the window, her voice barely above a whisper. "We can't fix each other."
"I'm not trying to fix you, Bella. I just…" He exhaled roughly, as though searching for the right words. "I just don't want to lose you."
Bella didn't reply. She pressed her forehead lightly against the glass, the cold surface grounding her for a moment. Outside, the streets were quiet, the city still wrapped in darkness.
The SUV slowed as Edward turned onto the street where the noise complaint had been called in. The headlights swept over the rows of houses, casting long shadows on the pavement. The houses were modest—not super rundown, but they weren't in an area of luxury either.
"We're here," Edward said quietly, pulling the car to a stop. He cut the engine but didn't move right away. He hated that this feeling between them felt unresolved, felt it festering it its staticity... but they had a job to do.
"We okay?" Bella pressed hopefully, and Edward glanced at her. After a beat of silence he nodded. For now, they'd be okay. "Of course. Always, Bella."
She took in a deep breath and nodded, turning her attention outside of the car, as did Edward.
"Doesn't look like much," he observed silently, scanning the street.
Bella unbuckled her seatbelt and shrugged. "It's probably just some punk kids who hate their neighbors."
They stepped out, the air particularly biting in the too-early hours of the morning. As they approached the house, a low, rhythmic thudding sound reached their ears. Bella tilted her head, listening closely.
"That's music," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Really bad music."
"Let's hope that's the only crime they commit tonight."
They moved quietly, their footsteps soft on the pavement. Reaching the front door, Bella knocked hard, her other hand resting casually near her hip, ready to draw the holstered weapon if necessary.
"Seattle PD!" she called out. "Open up."
There was a pause, then the music cut off abruptly. Footsteps approached the door, followed by the sound of several locks being undone.
The door creaked open, revealing a young man in his early twenties, his eyes wide and bloodshot. "Uh… hey," he said, his voice shaky. "What's the problem?"
Bella raised an eyebrow. "We've had complaints about the noise."
The man glanced over his shoulder, then back at them. "Sorry about that. We'll keep it down."
Edward peered past him into the apartment, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of several other people inside, some sprawled on couches, others gathered around a table cluttered with bottles. This clearly wasn't a Bible study gathering, but he didn't see anything illegal going on, either.
Still, "due diligence" and everything.
"Mind if we step in for a moment?" Bella asked, her tone polite.
The man hesitated, his hand tightening on the door. "Uh, actually, it's kinda late—"
Before he could finish, a loud crash came from inside, followed by muffled shouting. Bella's eyes snapped to Edward, and in an instant, they were moving.
"Step aside," Edward said, his voice commanding as he pushed the door open wider.
The man stumbled back, protesting weakly. "Wait, you can't just—"
Ignoring him, Bella and Edward entered the apartment, their senses on high alert. The scene inside was chaotic—empty beer cans and fast-food wrappers littered the floor, and a few of the partygoers were arguing loudly near the back of the room.
Bella's gaze locked onto the source of the earlier crash: a broken lamp lying in pieces on the floor. There were three people—an older man with spiky, black hair, a girl who barely looked eighteen, and another guy, probably in his twenties. She approached the group, her voice cutting through their yelling. "Seattle PD. What's going on here?"
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to her. One of the men, older and clearly intoxicated, sneered. "None of your damn business."
Edward stepped up beside Bella, his posture relaxed but his eyes cold. "A complaint was filed, and things are looking like they're escalating in here. Makes it our business."
The older man opened his mouth to retort, but one of the younger guys quickly interjected. "It's fine, officer. We'll clean up and call it a night."
Bella ignored him and turned to the girl, who was holding her arm, avoiding any eye contact with the detectives. She took a careful step forward, frowning at a bruise she saw harshly marring her cheek. "Hey. Are you okay? How old are you?"
The older man scowled. "Yo, how are y'all gonna come up here and—"
"Yo, was she talking to you?" Edward shot back, his jaw clenched. He then turned back to the girl, who looked insurmountably nervous now. She sighed softly, dragging her eyes up to meet his, then Bellas.
"I'm okay," she murmured. "I'm twenty-three. I-I have my ID."
"Twenty-three?" Bella said, eyes narrowing skeptically. The girl nodded quickly and reached into her pocket, pulling out a wallet. She showed them her ID, and Edward took it.
Her name was Jessica Stanley, and she was, indeed, twenty-three years old. The ID wasn't fake, either. Edward nodded and handed it back to her.
Bella stepped closer, reaching forward to place a hand on her arm, but the girl flinched, the movement almost like a reflex. Bella quickly dropped her hand, her heart hurting at the familiar response.
She wondered which one of these assholes did it – but her bets were on the older man.
But whatever the case, she couldn't force her to go, if she didn't want to.
"We promise that we're done for the night," the younger man reiterated. The girl nodded quickly, and the older man's scowl remained.
Bella nodded slowly, her eyes scanning each of their faces. "Okay. Make sure you do. And if we get another call, this party's over for good."
Edward added, his voice low, "Understood?"
The men nodded, subdued. Satisfied, Bella and Edward turned to leave, but not before Bella muttered under her breath to Edward, "We should keep an eye out—stay for a little bit outside."
Edward nodded. "Agreed."
As they walked back to the SUV, Bella glanced over at Edward, a small smile playing on her lips. "Well, that was anticlimactic."
Edward chuckled. "Yeah, but hey, no paperwork."
Bella groaned dramatically. "Finally, a silver lining."
They were just about to climb into the vehicle, when rounds of loud gunshots popped off in the still air. Instantly moving, Bella and Edward dropped behind their vehicles, guns drawn. More gunshots pierced the air, a few hitting their SUV. Bella pulled out her radio, yelling into it loudly, "2-Adam-12, we've got shots fired at the police, 10-1! Shots fired out of a residence, address is 43rd and Highwater. Requesting immediate back up!"
Bella's radio crackled as dispatch responded quickly, confirming that back-up was enroute. Edward peeked from around the grill of the SUV for a second, eyes searching wildly for where the shots were coming from. He caught sight of a barrel protruding from the leftmost window, the muzzle flashing intermittently.
"First window on the left," he murmured to Bella, keeping his head low. Several more shots were fired when they saw Edward peeking and he quickly scrambled backwards, breath coming out hot and fast.
"Got it," Bella ground out, pulse pounding in her ears. "Shit. So much for that paperwork."
"Yeah," Edward groaned. A few more shots rang out, and both Bella and Edward took a moment to peep out to take their own. A bullet flew by Bella's head – missing by just a few inches, and she slammed herself back behind cover. "What the fuck," she hissed. "did we do to piss them off this much?"
What turned into a simple noise complaint check was now a fucking shoot-out.
As Bella and Edward continued to duck behind their SUV, more rounds pierced the quiet night. The metallic clang of bullets striking the vehicle rang in their ears, and adrenaline surged through their veins.
"No clue," Edward grunted, his mind racing. "But they're making it personal."
Suddenly, the wail of sirens echoed in the distance, a promising sound of reinforcements. Within seconds, a squad car skidded to a stop behind them, two uniformed officers quickly stepping out. Before either could get fully behind cover, another shot rang out, striking one of the officers in the shoulder.
"Shit! Officer down!" Bella shouted as the wounded officer crumpled behind the patrol car. Her partner immediately dragged her to safety behind the vehicle.
"1-Nora-21, officer down, 10-1!" the male officer yelled into his radio. "Requesting immediate back-up and medics to 43rd and Highwater!"
Bella and Edward exchanged a tense glance. Edward leaned out just enough to take a quick shot at the window, forcing the gunman to withdraw momentarily. "You good, Angela?" Bella called out.
The injured officer, clutching her bleeding shoulder, nodded through gritted teeth. "I'm okay," she panted. "Just… hurts like hell. Fuuuck, why me?"
Her partner, crouched beside her, introduced himself over the chaos. "Officer Tyler Crowley. This is Angela Weber. First shift out of the academy."
Edward gave a quick nod of acknowledgment. "Put pressure on that wound, Crowley – and hang in there, Angela. Backup and medics are almost here." Both officers nodded and Crowley applied serious pressure on Angela's shoulder, blood seeping through his fingers.
"Yeah, you'll be telling this story for years," Bella added, her tone lighter to keep the rookie calm. "First night out and already in a shootout? Hell of a start."
Angela let out a shaky laugh, her face pale. "Great... just great."
Tyler shouted over another rapid round of gunfire, "What the hell's going on here?"
Edward kept his eyes trained on the window as he spoke quickly. "Noise complaint. We were leaving when they opened fire. Whoever's in there wasn't too happy about us showing up."
Tyler cursed under his breath, then winced as a few more loud shots pierced the night, the smell of fresh gun powder heavily permeating the air. "Guess they took noise complaint and fucking ran with it."
The ambulance sirens grew louder, and soon paramedics were on scene, carefully maneuvering through the chaos to get to Angela.
The sharp sound of a female's scream from inside the house shattered any hesitation. Bella and Edward locked eyes, their decision made in an instant. Bella grabbed her radio. "2-Adam-12, shots active inside and we've got a civilian in danger. We're moving in."
"Are you insane?" Tyler shouted from behind the patrol car, still trying to keep Angela steady. "Wait for back-up!" More sirens pulsed in the distance—they were close, but the situation was too precarious to sit back and wait.
"No time," Edward said, his tone firm as he double-checked his weapon. "Stay put and cover us, Crowley."
Before Tyler could argue further, Bella and Edward moved in sync, darting low across the front yard, keeping themselves as small of targets as much as possible. The gunfire resumed, sharp cracks cutting through the night, but they maneuvered quickly, taking cover where they could.
They reached the front door. Bella crouched, her back pressed against the wall, while Edward positioned himself on the other side. He gave her a quick nod, then raised his foot and kicked the door in with a loud crash.
The door slammed against the wall, revealing a chaotic scene inside. Two bodies lay motionless on the living room floor, the men who they'd spoken to before, blood pooling around them.
She didn't see Jessica anywhere, or the rest of the people who'd been in the house before.
Bella's heart clenched, but she forced herself to stay focused. She scanned the room, gun steady as she moved to take cover behind a low bookshelf. Edward slid behind an overturned couch, their movements fluid and synchronized.
"Stay back!" a male voice roared from deeper in the house, followed by another round of gunfire. Bullets sprayed through the narrow doorway leading into the kitchen, splintering the walls.
Bella's voice was calm, though firm as she projected it. "We're police! We don't want anyone else to get hurt. Put the gun down, and we can talk."
"Don't come any closer!" the man shouted, his voice shaky but defiant.
Edward risked a glance toward Bella, their eyes meeting across the room. He tilted his head slightly, a silent suggestion. Bella nodded subtly, understanding his intent.
Keeping her voice steady to maintain the shooter's attention, Bella continued. "You're scared. I get it. But killing more people won't solve anything, and we know others are in the house. Just let us help you."
Meanwhile, Edward moved slowly, staying low and out of sight. He crept along the wall toward the kitchen, where the shooter was holed up. Bella kept her eyes locked on the doorway, listening for any shift in the man's position.
"Help me?" the shooter scoffed, his voice breaking. "They called you here. It's too late for that."
"It's not," Bella said gently. "We can figure this out. But you need to trust us."
The shooter hesitated, his breathing audible even from their positions. Bella's words were working, but they both knew he was still on edge.
Edward reached the edge of the doorway, his movements silent. He raised three fingers toward Bella, counting down.
Three… two… one.
Edward moved first, bursting into the kitchen with his gun trained on the man. "Drop it!" he barked. From the corner of his eye, he could see Jessica, stuffed in the corner of the kitchen. Her hand was clutched over her leg, blood seeping through the stitches of her jeans, as she whimpered in pain.
The shooter spun around, startled, his weapon raising instinctively. Bella darted in from her position, flanking him. "Drop it now!" she yelled.
The man froze, his eyes darting between them. His hand trembled on the gun.
"Think about it," Edward said, desperate to reason with him. "You fire one shot, and it's over for you."
Bella stepped closer, her gun steady. "But if you drop it, you walk out of here alive. It's your choice."
For a tense moment, the man seemed to waver, his grip tightening on the gun. Then, with a shaky exhale, he lowered it slowly to the floor.
"Good," Bella said, stepping forward carefully to kick the weapon out of his reach. Edward moved in, swiftly securing the man's wrists with cuffs. Bella then instantly holstered her gun and crouched down beside Jessica. "Hey. It's gonna be okay." Jessica nodded as she looked at her, her cheeks blotchy and streaked with tears. Bella pulled out her radio, "2-Adam-12, offender apprehended. Two DOA, one civilian with a GSW to the leg. Requesting medics and additional units to secure the scene."
"You made the right choice," Edward muttered to the offender as he tightened the cuffs. "Let's go."
He led the shooter outside just as more backup arrived, the scene a flurry of flashing lights and officers. Edward handed the suspect off to another officer, who secured him in a patrol car, while Bella stayed with Jessica, having grabbed a dish towel and wrapped it around her wound. The bullet seemed to have made a quick entry and exit, and didn't seem to do any major damage from what she could see.
"I'm sorry," Jessica whimpered, her face still contorted in pain. Bella reached for her bloodied hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I should've went with you. Alec got scared when he saw you guys… t-thought we called them." She winced, the discomfort evident in her face.
"Alec is the shooter?" Bella asked and Jessica nodded. "You don't have to apologize, Jessica. I'm just glad you're okay."
Medics finally rushed into the kitchen and Bella gave Jessica's hand one more squeeze before backing off and giving them space. As they went to work, she exited the kitchen, seeing some other medics tending to the men on the floor—both of them were dead.
Sighing, Bella walked outside. She knew that neither her nor Edward could've seen this coming – Alec hadn't even been in the room when they'd talked to the others, but wherever he was, he probably heard them and immediately thought the worst.
Edward glanced at Bella as she walked up beside him, eyebrows knitted together. "Jessica is okay?'
"She's good," Bella murmured. "I just… we didn't fuck up, right? There were no signs?"
"No," Edward said, his tone firm. "We didn't even speak with the shooter. Jessica said she wasn't in any danger."
Bella nodded, though her expression remained fretful. "Jessica said that Alec panicked. He thought they called us, so…" She sighed, shaking her head.
"We'll question him at the precinct," Edward said. "He's paranoid, clearly. Now we have to find out why."
"Yeah. Is Angela okay?" Bella's eyes darted around the street, no longer seeing the rookie and her partner. Edward nodded. "I saw them just as the ambulance left—Tyler went with her. She'll be fine."
"First night on the job, and she took a bullet. Not exactly a warm welcome," she sighed. "She seemed strong though."
"She did," Edward agreed. "She is."
…
The precinct was still shaking off the dregs of the night shift when Bella and Edward stepped into the briefing room. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly, washing the space in a pale glow. The large whiteboard was still blank, a silent canvas waiting for chaos to be untangled.
Edward dropped heavily into one of the chairs, rubbing a hand over his face, while Bella stayed on her feet, pacing restlessly.
"He's booked," Edward muttered finally, breaking the quiet. "Alec Harding, only twenty-two-years old. Aggravated assault, weapons possession, and..." He trailed off, his expression dark. "Two dead. Jesus."
Bella nodded, her jaw tight, just as the door swung open and Solomon strode in. He was carrying a steaming coffee cup like a weapon, eyes sharp and expectant as they flickered between the two detectives.
"Alright," Solomon barked, his voice gravelly with sleep deprivation, "someone tell me why I got a 5:30 AM call about you two chasing noise complaints and ending up in a war zone."
Bella stopped pacing and turned toward him. "Patrol didn't answer dispatch, and this was just supposed to be a noise complaint, Sarge. Standard check—until it wasn't."
"Standard check?" Solomon's brows shot up. "I just walked past holding. Alec Harding—two DOAs and a civilian in the hospital? What the hell happened out there?"
Edward pushed himself upright. "We arrived. Shots were fired inside the house. A woman, Jessica Stanley, was trapped in the kitchen, bleeding out. Shooter had a handgun. Bella flanked him, I distracted him, and he gave up before it turned into a standoff."
"Jesus Christ." Solomon exhaled slowly and dropped his coffee on the table, his shoulders rounding slightly as he processed the words. "Do we know who the vics are?"
"Not yet," Bella replied. "ID will confirm, but the bodies were in the living room when we arrived—two men, one mid-thirties the other in his twenties. We talked to them beforehand, but Jessica said Alec got scared after we left—thought they'd called us. About drugs, maybe? The place was trashed."
Solomon ran a hand over his jaw, the grizzled stubble scraping against his palm. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose for a moment before his gaze hardened.
"Alright. I need you two locked in on this." He jabbed a finger toward them both. "We've got two dead bodies and a suspect in custody. I don't want this bastard walking on some technicality because we missed a detail. You hear me?"
Bella nodded sharply. "On it, boss."
"Good." Solomon straightened. "Get me the evidence list ASAP. Ballistics, fingerprints, blood spatter—whatever the hell's at that scene. And get a CSU team out there if they aren't already." He paused, pointing to the window where the faint glow of sunrise crept through. "Paul said you both got in super early. You sure you're good for this?"
Edward exchanged a look with Bella before answering. "We're fine. We'll get answers."
"Alright. Alec's waiting in holding." Solomon's voice dropped, his tone pointed. "Talk to him. Then, I want you both gone by twelve." He leveled them with a glare, leaving no room for argument, and the two detectives both nodded.
They went to move, but Solomon held up a hand. "Ah—actually, Masen—a word?"
Edward froze, his eyes cutting to Solomon's. He shared a brief look with Bella before nodding and following Solomon into his office, closing the door behind them.
Solomon cleared his throat as he regarded Edward silently. "You and Bella just happened to be here?"
Edward's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, boss. Neither of us could sleep, so we figured we'd get some work done."
"Hm," Solomon hummed, nodding.
Edward took a quick glance around the office as he waited for the sergeant to continue. The office was neat, utilitarian, with a few personal touches: a dated framed photo of Solomon with a woman and a younger girl, a rack of medals from his earlier days on the force, and a well-maintained gun case on the wall. Solomon moved to the gun case, unlocking it with deliberate slowness.
Edward watched as Solomon removed a shotgun and set it on his desk. He grabbed a cloth and cleaning oil, making a show of his familiarity with the weapon. The quiet scrape of metal and the scent of oil filled the room.
Edward sighed inwardly. So, this is how it's going to be.
Finally, Solomon spoke, his eyes on the shotgun. "You know, Bella's like a daughter to me," he said, his voice calm but weighted. "She's been through more in her life than most people could handle. And she's tougher for it, but that doesn't mean she's indestructible."
Edward nodded, staying silent as Solomon continued.
"She doesn't let many people in. Hell, she barely lets herself in most days." He paused, his gaze lifting to Edward. "But she's let you in."
Edward opened his mouth, but Solomon raised a hand, stopping him.
"I'm not here to play bad cop, Masen. I'm here to make sure you understand something." Solomon leaned towards him, his gaze hard. "Bella's trust isn't something you get lightly. So if you mess this up—if you hurt her, or worse, if your personal shit clouds your judgment on the job and gets her killed—you won't have to worry about SWAT or the DA coming after you." Solomon held up the shotgun, his eyes locked on Edward's. "You'll have to answer to me."
Edward let out a slow breath, more annoyed by the dramatics than intimidated. "Understood, Sarge," he said, his tone even.
Solomon leaned back, placing the shotgun down carefully. "Good. Now, what exactly is going on between you and Bella?"
Edward hesitated, then spoke honestly. "Nothing," he said. "She actually asked for space. And, with all due respect, Sarge, I think talking to Alec is a much more pressing matter right now." Not to mention this was none of his goddamned business, but Edward left that part out.
Solomon's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Huh," he muttered, clearly caught off guard. He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully, then nodded. "Alright. You're dismissed."
Edward didn't wait around. He left the office quickly, his expression unreadable.
Bella was leaning against her desk, arms crossed, having just finished reaching out to CSU. When he walked out of Solomon's office, she immediately straightened.
"What did he say?" she asked curiously.
Edward didn't stop. "Nothing important," he muttered, brushing past her and heading toward the interrogation room.
"Edward—" Bella called after him, but he didn't turn around. Frustration flickered across her face as she sighed and hurried to catch up.
In the interrogation room, Alec sat slouched in the metal chair with his arms crossed. His face, pale and sharp-edged, betrayed nothing, but his fingers tapped an irregular rhythm against his bicep—small, twitching movements that hinted at his fraying calm.
Bella entered first, a folder tucked under her arm, her expression neutral but focused. Edward followed close behind, his steps heavier, deliberate. Neither said a word as they took their positions—Bella at the table, Edward leaning against the wall, his watchful gaze burning into Alec.
The room hummed with silence.
Bella placed the folder down on the table with a soft thunk, letting it sit there like a loaded gun. She pulled out the chair and lowered herself into it, folding her hands in front of her, her tone smooth and patient.
"Alec,"she began steadily, "this doesn't have to be hard. Talk to us, and maybe we can help you. You work with us, and you might walk out of this with something less than the rest of your life gone. But if you sit there…" She paused, letting the silence press on him,"…we all waste our time. Your call."
Alec's blank stare remained fixed on a spot just above her head, as though she were nothing but noise. He didn't move, didn't blink.
Edward's arms remained folded, but the tension in his shoulders was a slow boil. He pushed off the wall, taking a small, but purposeful step forward. His voice was low, edged with controlled frustration.
"What happened in that house, Alec?"
Still nothing. Alec's eyes burned with some defiant fire, but his lips remained sealed.
Bella glanced toward Edward, catching his unspoken cue. Edward moved closer, looming over Alec with a predator's focus. He slammed both hands flat on the table with a sound like a gunshot, making Bella jump slightly despite herself. The impact echoed through the room.
"You think you're a tough guy, Alec?" Edward growled, his voice dangerous, the edge of his anger slipping free."You think this silence makes you smarter than us? Makes you bigger?"
Alec's nostrils flared at the jab, his fingers clenching tighter over his biceps, but he didn't flinch.
Edward leaned in closer, his tone dropping, darker now. "Let me tell you something, kid. Two people are dead because of you. A woman is in the hospital, bleeding out because of you. You're not walking out of here as some misunderstood victim—you're going down. And the longer you sit here, the worse it gets."
Bella watched Alec's jaw tighten, his breathing growing sharper. She could see it—the cracks starting to splinter his armor, the paranoia itching just beneath his skin.
She leaned forward slightly, matching Edward's intensity with a softer approach. "Alec," she said, her voice calm but insistent, "we know what we found at the house. A nine-millimeter, two spent casings, blood all over the kitchen floor. And the meth…" She paused deliberately, watching for a flicker of reaction.
Alec's fingers stopped tapping. He still didn't look at her, but something shifted in his eyes—just for a second.
Bella pressed on. "Yeah, we found the stash. Enough for distribution charges. That's on top of the weapons and the bodies. This isn't just bad luck, Alec. Someone was pulling the strings in that house, and if it wasn't you, then tell us who. You don't want to go down alone, do you?"
Silence.
Edward exhaled, sharp and angry. He straightened up and turned for the door with a look of disgust."This is a waste of time. Let him rot."
That's when Alec finally moved.
"Caius."
Bella froze mid-step, her hand hovering over the door handle. Slowly, she turned back, her body taut, as though the word alone had sent a jolt through her system."What did you just say?"
Alec lifted his gaze for the first time since they'd walked in, and when his eyes met Bella's, they were calm—far too calm. Calculated. That look sent a ripple down her spine, the kind she hadn't felt in years.
"You heard me," he said simply.
Edward turned fully now, his expression dark and guarded. He shot a glance toward Bella, but her focus didn't waver.
"What about Caius?" Bella pressed, her tone sharpening, a new edge in it. She stepped forward again, standing over Alec. "Talk, Alec. If you've got something to say, say it."
Alec leaned back in his chair, that dangerous glint returning to his eyes. "He's coming." The words dripped from his mouth like venom. "For you. For all of you."
Bella's jaw tightened as a quiet pulse of dread thudded in her chest. She could feel Edward shift beside her, stepping closer. His voice was a low, dangerous growl as the muscles in his jaw tightened."What does that mean, Alec? Is that a threat? I need you to be real fucking specific right now."
But Alec's face hardened again. He tilted his head to the side, his lips curling into the faintest smirk."You'll figure it out," is all he said, voice tinged with grim finality.
"Alec," Bella said fiercely, "if Caius is back in Seattle, you need to start talking now. If you think you're playing games, remember whose game you're playing."
Alec's gaze slid past her, as though she no longer existed. The gleam in his eyes dimmed, and he was gone—retreating back into that eerie silence. A lock turned in his mind, and Bella knew it wouldn't open again without force.
She stayed where she was, staring at Alec like she could force the answers out of him through sheer will, but there was nothing left in his expression—just a stone-cold stare aimed somewhere over her shoulder.
The tension hung thick in the room as Bella and Edward exchanged a look. Edward's face was tight with frustration, but Bella's was worse—her expression was one of dawning trepidation.
Caius' name was one that never fleetingly came and went. Rumors were never just rumors, but instead strict promises intended to be kept.
Her mind briefly thought about his brother, sitting in a cell on charges that had him there for life. Charges that she brought him down with, which now felt like a lifetime ago.
If Caius truly was back in Seattle, then something was up, and she needed to talk to Solomon—now.
So, we've been "introduced" to Caius. He is... well... you'll all see.
It's not pretty. I hope these scenes of arrests, then interrogation, aren't getting too repetitive, but this one in particular is leading up to the next part of the story arc.
Thank you for reading, as always! Let me know what you're thinking about Caius xx