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Chapter 4

The next morning, Edward pushed open the door of the coffee shop, the familiar bell jingling softly as he stepped inside. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the hum of quiet conversation and the rhythmic clatter of cups on saucers. He glanced around, half expecting to see Bella standing at the counter, her shirt once again in peril.

But this time, there were no mishaps. Just the usual early-morning crowd, a line of bleary-eyed patrons waiting for their caffeine fix.

Edward stepped up to the counter, smiling tersely at the acne-riddled teenager from yesterday, who only rolled his eyes and took Edward's order. While he waited, his eyes scanned the room, a habit he hadn't shaken since his time in Vice. He wasn't exactly on edge, but old instincts died hard.

Just as his name was called, the door swung open, and in walked Bella. She spotted him immediately and grinned.

"Look who's back for round two," she said, sliding into line.

Edward picked up his coffee and moved toward her, raising an eyebrow. "Thought I'd try to make it through the morning without scalding anyone this time."

"A noble goal. I'm surprised you even came back here after yesterday."

"Figured I owed this place another shot," Edward said, his tone light. He tilted his head towards the counter, eyes twinkling. "Plus, I'm paying, right?"

Bella nodded, placed her order and leaned against the counter beside him as they waited. "You know, for someone who had such a batshit crazy first day, you did pretty well out there."

Edward glanced at her, surprised by the compliment. "Thanks. You weren't too bad yourself."

"High praise coming from the guy who saved my ass when that offender pulled a gun," Bella said, her tone teasing, but with an undercurrent of sincerity.

Edward shrugged. "Just doing my job."

"Sure," Bella said, her eyes twinkling. "But don't get cocky. One good mission doesn't mean you're off the hook."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Edward replied, taking a sip of his coffee.

Bella's order was called, and she grabbed her cup, leading the way toward a small table by the window. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the world wake up outside.

Eventually, Bella broke the quiet. "You settle in okay? With the team, I mean."

Edward hesitated, then nodded. "It's a good group. Tight-knit. I just need to find my place."

"You will," Bella said confidently. "Solomon doesn't bring in people he doesn't think can handle it. And if he trusts you, that's half the battle."

Edward studied her for a moment, noting the easy confidence in her tone. "What about you? You always this sure of everything?"

Bella laughed softly, shaking her head. "Not even close. But I've been with CIU long enough to know that we don't do things halfway. If you're here, it's because you belong."

Edward nodded, letting her words sink in. Maybe she was right. Maybe this was his shot at something steady, something real.

"Well," Bella said, standing and finishing the last sip of her coffee, "let's see if you can keep up for day two."

Edward smirked, standing as well. "Let's see if I can avoid spilling coffee this time."

Bella had driven to the coffee shop and offered to give Edward a ride to the precinct, which he thought was a lot more practical than trying to run another three blocks. As they entered the squad room, the usual hum of activity greeted them. Solomon was already there, standing by the whiteboard with a marker in hand, reviewing the intel Alice had decrypted overnight.

"Good, you're both here," Solomon said without looking up. "We've got a lot to cover."

Bella and Edward joined the rest of the team. Rosalie and Jasper were seated, already flipping through the morning's case files. Emmett leaned casually against his desk, tossing a stress ball back and forth, while Jacob stood near the window, his arms crossed and his jaw tight. Edward caught Jacob's eye, and for a moment, there was a flicker of tension, but Jacob just gave him a curt nod, a silent acknowledgment of their truce from the night before.

Alice spun around in her chair, her usual energy on full display. "Morning, sunshine," she said to Edward, grinning. "Ready for round two?"

"Let's hope it's less eventful," Edward replied.

"Ha, doubtful." She swiveled back around, craning her neck over her keyboard as she began to punch the keys furiously.

Solomon tapped the board, bringing their attention back to the task at hand. "Here's what we know— the intel Edward and Bella pulled last night gives us a clear view of Mendoza's operation. He's running a pipeline for trafficking weapons, drugs, and people through the port. But here's the kicker—Mendoza himself is planning to oversee the next shipment personally."

"That's bold," Rosalie said, her tone skeptical. "He's been careful to keep his hands clean up until now."

Solomon nodded. "Which means he's getting desperate. We've disrupted his operations enough that he feels the need to step in. That gives us an opportunity to take him down."

"What's the timeline?" Bella asked.

"Tonight, around 8:00 PM," Solomon said. "Mendoza's crew is already moving pieces into place. We need to be ready."

The team spent the next hour reviewing the details. Alice had mapped out the layout of the warehouse Mendoza was using as a staging ground. It was heavily guarded, with multiple entry points and several layers of security.

"We'll need a multi-pronged approach," Solomon said. "Emmett and Jacob will handle the front entry. Bella, Edward, you'll take the side entrance. Rosalie and Jasper will cover the back to cut off any escape routes."

Alice chimed in, "I'll be running surveillance from here, feeding you live updates. If Mendoza tries to slip away, I'll know."

"Masen," Solomon said, snapping Edward's attention towards him. "You'll be responsible for securing the comms once you're inside. If Mendoza's people can't call for backup, it gives us the upper hand."

Edward nodded. "Understood."

"Don't screw it up," Jacob muttered, just loud enough for Edward to hear. Edward sent him an exasperated look, thinking they were past the petty bullshit. He kept his mouth shut though, but Solomon shot Jacob a warning look. "Focus on your own job, Black. You all know what's at stake. We don't get another shot at this."

As the team dispersed, Bella and Edward lingered by their desks. Bella leaned against the edge, her arms crossed, watching as Edward reviewed the blueprints Alice had provided.

"You good with this?" Bella asked, her tone softer now that they were out of the group's earshot.

Edward glanced up, his expression serious. "Yeah. I've got it."

Bella nodded, studying him for a moment. "Look, I know Jacob's been a pain, but remember what I said – don't let him get in your head. You've already proven you can handle yourself."

Edward sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I get it. He doesn't trust me yet."

"He will," Bella said. "Just give it time. For what it's worth, I think you've got what it takes."

Edward gave her a small, grateful smile. "Thanks."

Bella smirked. "Just don't make me regret it."

Edward chuckled. "I'll do my best."

…

The rest of the day was a blur of preparation. Each member of the team had their role to play, and everyone focused on perfecting the plan. By the time the sun set, the tension in the precinct was palpable. Edward spent the evening running over the blueprints and testing the comm equipment. Bella occasionally glanced over at him, noting his meticulous approach, and appreciating his focus. Rosalie was grabbing something from the printer, and noticed Bella's line of sight trained on Edward. She smirked, shifting over to her friend and bumping her shoulder with hers. "He's cute, huh?"

"He's not bad to look at," Bella chortled, looking away and down at some case files. It was quite literally the understatement of the century, and Rosalie breathed a disblieving laugh. "Not bad my ass. Speaking of ass..." Her gaze dropped to the ass in question, and Bella had to refrain from laughing out loud. She gave Rosalie an incredulous look. "You're incorrigible. And horny."

"I'm just stating the obvious," Rosalie said, holding her hands up. She walked away and Bella gave one more discreet glance Edward's way, drinking in his every movement – the flex of his muscles under his white-tee, the habitual way in which he ran a tired hand through his hair. The man literally made the simplest of moves attractive. "Yeah," she breathed to herself, then forced herself back into focus.

As the clock ticked closer to eight o'clock, Solomon called the team into the briefing room for final instructions.

"Alright, listen up," Solomon began, standing at the head of the table. His voice was steady, commanding. "Mendoza's shipment arrives in two hours. We'll be in position before then. Remember, this is a coordinated effort. Timing is everything."

He glanced around the room, making eye contact with each team member. "Once we're inside, stay sharp. Mendoza's men are heavily armed, and they won't hesitate to use force if cornered. I want everyone coming back in one piece."

"Got it, boss," Emmett said, his usual grin absent as he leaned forward, elbows on the table.

Solomon's eyes landed on Edward. "Masen, securing comms is critical. If they call for reinforcements, we lose our window."

Edward nodded. "I'll handle it."

"And the rest of you," Solomon continued, his gaze shifting to Bella, Jasper, Rosalie, and Jacob, "stay focused. No room for error." His eyes stopped at Jacob, narrowing, another silent order resonating through his glare. Jacob nodded slightly, heeding the silent warning loud and clear.

The room was quiet for a moment, the gravity of the mission sinking in.

"Alright," Solomon said, his voice softer now. "Let's do this."

…

The team assembled near the warehouse, their SUVs parked in a concealed spot just beyond the perimeter. The air was cool, the faint smell of saltwater wafting in from the nearby docks. The distant thrum of ship engines and the occasional clank of metal on metal were the only sounds.

Bella adjusted her earpiece, her eyes scanning the dark warehouse ahead. "Everyone in position?"

"West side secure," Rosalie's voice came through the comms.

"South side ready," Jasper added.

"Front entrance is ours," Emmett said. "Jake's behaving, too."

"Funny," Jacob muttered, but his tone was focused.

Edward crouched beside Bella near the side entrance. "Side entrance clear," he reported, his voice calm despite the adrenaline coursing through him.

Alice's voice crackled softly in their ears. "Cameras are up. No sign of Mendoza yet, but his men are in position. Be careful."

"Copy that," Solomon said. "Move in on my mark."

Edward's grip on his weapon tightened as he exchanged a glance with Bella. Her expression was cool, confident. She gave him a small nod, and he felt a flicker of reassurance.

The team moved in silently, their footsteps barely audible on the concrete floor. The interior was vast, filled with towering stacks of crates and pallets. Dim overhead lights cast long shadows, creating an eerie maze of cargo. Edward and Bella worked their way toward the control room where the communication systems were located. As they approached, Edward held up a hand, signaling Bella to stop. He could hear faint voices on the other side of the door.

Two guards, chatting casually.

Bella leaned in close, her voice a whisper. "We take them quietly. You up for it?"

Edward gave a slight nod, his eyes sharp. He pulled out his silenced sidearm, and on Bella's count, they moved.

The door creaked open just enough for Bella to slip in first. She grabbed the nearest guard, clamping a hand over his mouth and pulling him back into a chokehold. Edward followed, his silenced shot taking out the second guard with quick precision when he went to pull his own gun.

The room fell silent again.

Bella lowered the unconscious guard to the floor, her breathing steady. "Nice shot," she murmured, and took out her cuffs to get him apprehended.

Edward moved quickly to the terminal. "You too. Let's get to work."

As he began to disable the comms, the screen flashed with encrypted messages. "Alice, I'm in. Sending you a live feed."

"Receiving," Alice replied. "Give me a sec… Okay, I've got control. Their network's blind. You're good to go."

"Comms are down," Edward said, turning to Bella. "They're cut off."

"Perfect," Bella said, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Let's head back to Solomon."

Just as the team regrouped near the central loading bay, headlights flooded the space. A sleek black SUV pulled in, followed by another. The vehicles stopped, and Mendoza stepped out, flanked by heavily armed guards.

"This is it," Solomon's voice came through the comms. "Wait for my signal."

The tension in the air was electric. Mendoza began directing his men, overseeing the unloading of crates. It was clear he wasn't expecting any interruptions.

Bella and Edward crouched behind a stack of crates, their weapons ready. She glanced at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "You good?"

Edward nodded. "Let's end this."

The team waited, every muscle coiled, until Solomon's voice finally came through: "Go."

In an instant, chaos erupted.

The moment Solomon gave the order, the team moved in sync. Bella and Edward emerged from cover, their weapons drawn and aimed.

"Seattle PD! Drop your weapons!" Bella's voice cut through the chaos.

Mendoza's men reacted instantly, drawing their guns and firing. The sharp crack of gunfire echoed through the warehouse as the team engaged. Bella and Edward stayed low, using the crates as cover, returning fire with their own well-timed shots.

From the front entrance, Emmett and Jacob burst in, their presence immediately drawing some of the heat away. Emmett's booming voice carried over the noise. "Drop it, or you're done!"

Jacob, moving with calculated aggression, took out two guards with well-placed shots. He barked into his comm, "Front secure. Jasper, you good on your side?"

Jasper's calm voice responded, "South side clear. Closing in from the rear."

Rosalie added, "Two down on my end. Mendoza's guards are thinning."

Edward peeked around the crate, his eyes locking on Mendoza, who was barking orders and moving toward the far end of the warehouse, trying to slip away.

"Bella," Edward said urgently. "Mendoza's making a run for it."

Bella nodded sharply. "Go. I've got your six."

Edward moved swiftly, weaving through the maze of crates and machinery. Mendoza was quick, but Edward was faster. The pounding of his footsteps echoed in his ears as he closed the distance between them.

"Masen, don't let him get out of the building!" Solomon's voice came through the comm.

"On it," Edward replied, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him.

Mendoza reached a metal staircase leading to a catwalk above the warehouse floor. He scrambled up, glancing back to see Edward gaining on him.

"Stop!" Edward shouted, his gun trained on his movements. Mendoza paused at the top of the stairs, pulling a pistol from his waistband. He fired a wild shot, forcing Edward to dive behind cover.

"You're making this worse for yourself!" Edward called out, his voice echoing through the cavernous space. "Drop the weapon!"

"Come and get me, cop!" Mendoza snarled, retreating further onto the catwalk.

Bella's voice came through the comm, "Edward, hold him there. I'm coming up from below."

Edward carefully advanced, keeping his weapon trained on Mendoza, who was now backing up with a steely gaze trained on Edward. Mendoza reached the end of the catwalk, realizing too late that there was nowhere else to go. He turned, his pistol shaking slightly as he aimed it at Edward.

"You don't have to do this," Edward said, his voice calm but firm. "Put the gun down. It's over."

Mendoza's eyes darted wildly, his breathing erratic. "You don't know who you're messing with. I'll kill you!"

Edward held his ground, his aim steady. "You pull that trigger, and you'll never see daylight again. Drop it, Mendoza. This is your last chance."

For a moment, it seemed Mendoza might comply. His grip on the pistol wavered. Then, Bella's voice called out from below.

"Don't be stupid, Mendoza!" she shouted. "There's no way out."

Mendoza hesitated, glancing down at Bella, who had her weapon trained on him from the warehouse floor. That split second of distraction was all Edward needed. He surged forward, kicking the gun out of Mendoza's hand and tackling him to the ground.

The two men grappled on the narrow catwalk, but Edward quickly gained the upper hand. He pinned Mendoza down, wrenching his arms behind his back as he cuffed him.

"Target's secured," Edward said into his comm, breathing heavily. "Mendoza's in custody."

The team regrouped on the warehouse floor as Mendoza was led away in cuffs. Solomon approached Edward and Bella, his expression a mix of pride and authority.

"Good work, both of you," Solomon said. "We've been chasing this guy for months. This operation wouldn't have gone down without your teamwork."

Edward nodded, still catching his breath. Bella shot him a quick smile. "Not bad for day two."

Jacob walked over, his usual scowl softened. "Nice takedown, Masen. Guess you're not just the new guy after all."

Edward raised an eyebrow. "Was that a compliment?"

"Don't push it," Jacob muttered, but there was a hint of a smirk.

Solomon clapped Edward on the shoulder. "You've earned your place here, Masen. Let's debrief back at the precinct. Drinks are on me after."

As the team filed out of the warehouse, Edward felt a rare sense of accomplishment. For the first time in a long while, he believed he was exactly where he was meant to be.

The team returned to the precinct for the post-mission debrief. The squad room was quieter now, with only the occasional buzz of phones and the hum of fluorescent lights overhead. Solomon stood at the whiteboard, marking key points from the operation while the rest of the team settled around the desks.

"Alright," Solomon began, his voice steady. "Let's go over what we learned."

Alice pulled up a projection of the data Edward had secured. "The files confirmed our suspicions. Mendoza was running a three-tier operation— weapons, drugs, and human trafficking. His network was wide, but thanks to last night, we've effectively crippled it. These shipments won't be going anywhere."

Rosalie crossed her arms, her expression serious. "Mendoza won't talk, but his men might. We need to hit them hard in interrogation."

Solomon nodded. "Rosalie, Bella—you'll handle that. We've got a small window to squeeze them before their lawyers get involved."

"We'll get what we need," Rosalie said.

Solomon turned his attention to Bella and Edward. "Good work on the comms. Cutting off their ability to call for reinforcements was key."

Bella gave a small nod. "Masen handled it like a pro."

Edward glanced at her, appreciating the support, then looked back at Solomon. "We did what needed to be done."

"Exactly," Solomon said, his tone carrying a note of approval. "Now, we've got follow-ups to plan, but for tonight—" Solomon gave a rare smile, "we'll celebrate. Drinks are on me."

The room buzzed with a collective energy, the tension of the day giving way to a more relaxed atmosphere.

The bar the squad filed into was dimly lit, a comforting hum of conversation filling the air as the team settled around a large, corner table. The weight of the operation had lifted, replaced by the easy camaraderie of a group that had just pulled off a major win. Emmett was already in full form, waving down the bartender with his usual enthusiasm. "First round's on Solomon," he declared loudly, grinning. "And by 'first,' I mean the next five."

The team laughed, even Solomon, who rolled his eyes but didn't argue. "Don't get used to it," Solomon warned, though his tone was light.

Alice was practically bouncing in her seat, a cocktail already in hand. "This is what I'm talking about," she said, raising her glass. "To a job well done, and to not having to sit through another Jacob-Edward face-off."

Jacob groaned, leaning back in his chair. "Let it go, Alice."

"I will not," Alice said, grinning wickedly. "That was the most excitement I've had since hacking the city's traffic cams."

Bella looked at Edward, nudging him with her elbow. "Welcome to the team," she said, raising her beer.

Edward smirked, clinking his bottle against hers. "Feels like home already."

The night stretched on, the conversation shifting between work, personal stories, and light-hearted teasing. At some point, Solomon stood, brushing off his jacket. "Alright, I've got reports to finish," he said. "Try not to embarrass yourselves while I'm gone."

Alice gave him a mock salute. "No promises, boss."

Solomon shot her a half-hearted glare, then nodded to the rest of the team before heading for the door.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Emmett leaned forward, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Alright, who's got the weirdest perp story? I'm talking the kind of stuff that makes you question humanity."

Jasper snorted. "This ought to be good."

Jacob raised a hand, smirking. "I once arrested a guy who insisted he was a time traveler. Swore up and down that he'd come back from the year 3024 to warn us about a global cataclysm."

Alice perked up. "Did he have a manifesto?"

"Oh, he had a whole binder," Jacob said, laughing. "Detailed instructions on how to build a bunker and a list of people who were supposedly 'key to the resistance.'"

Edward raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess, he was on that list?"

Jacob nodded, grinning. "Of course. Claimed he needed to be locked up to avoid being assassinated by rival time travelers."

The table erupted in laughter.

Bella smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Classic."

Rosalie tilted her head toward Emmett. "Alright, your turn. What've you got?"

Emmett's grin widened. "Oh, I've got a good one. Couple years back, I was chasing this guy through a construction site. He climbed up a crane, thinking he could hide at the top. I followed him up, of course, but the dude panicked and tried to jump to the next building."

Alice gasped. "Did he make it?"

"Barely," Emmett said, chuckling. "But here's the kicker: his pants got caught on a piece of rebar, and he ended up dangling upside down three stories up. Took the fire department an hour to get him down."

Rosalie groaned. "Let me guess, you made the poor guy pose for a selfie?"

Emmett shrugged, unrepentant. "He asked for one, actually. Said he wanted to remember his 'most epic fail.'"

The laughter subsided, and the group settled into more subdued conversations. Edward and Bella found themselves sitting slightly apart from the rest, their drinks in hand.

Bella glanced at Edward. "So... the team. What's the verdict?"

Edward smirked. "Definitely not what I expected. It's different here… in a good way."

Bella nodded, her expression thoughtful. "They're a solid group. Took me a while to trust that, but they've got your back."

Edward's gaze softened. "Including you?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Especially me."

Edward nodded, appreciative, and Bella's expression turned curious. "What about you? You have people like this where you came from?"

Edward paused, considering the question. "Not like this," he admitted. "Vice was… different. Everyone was in their own head, focused on their own survival."

Bella nodded, her understanding clear. "That kind of work can mess you up."

"It does," Edward said quietly. "But this—being here, with this team—it feels different. Like maybe I don't have to carry everything alone."

Bella's smile was small but genuine. "You don't. Not here."

Edward looked at her, appreciating the sincerity in her words. "Thanks, Bella. That means a lot."

She shrugged, her tone lightening. "Don't get used to it. I'm still going to give you hell when you screw up."

Edward chuckled. "Fair enough."

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, turning their attention back to the team. Jacob was launching into another past arrest story, one where him and Bella were in Fremont. "Remember that, Bella?' Jacob asked, his usual bravado replaced by one of inebriety. Bella had only been partially listening, but at the mention of it, froze mid-sip and lowered her drink. "Which time?" she asked carefully.

Jacob snorted, tilting his head to the side. His gaze bounced to Edward for a moment, and a humored smirk took over his face. "The one with the undercover op," Jacob said. "You know, when we had to pose as a couple?"

"Oh, right," Bella said, her tone even. "That was years ago."

Jacob nodded, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, but you were pretty convincing. During and after." At this, Bella's eyes narrowed slightly. She thought back to the time in Fremont, where yeah – her and Jake had went undercover for a drug bust. It'd been a successful sting, and afterwards one thing led to another, and Bella woke up in his bed the next morning. But the fact that he was bringing it up now made no sense, and she didn't want her private life aired out like that.

The table grew quiet for a beat, the underlying tension suddenly palpable. Alice glanced between them, her brow furrowed, while Emmett shifted uncomfortably.

Edward finally spoke, clearing his throat, "It's amazing what you can do when the job demands it."

Jacob's eyes flicked to Edward, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "True. Guess some people are just naturally good at playing a role."

"And that's all that it was," Bella said quietly. She cleared her throat, and slid out of the booth. "I'm gonna go grab some more drinks."

Bella found purchase in a seat by the bar, rubbing her temples, and thought about heading out soon. The bartender slid two fresh beers her way, and she was just about to speak up, only wanting one, when Edward muttered a friendly thanks in his direction. Bella looked at him..

"Jacob seems to like to stir the pot," Edward said, sliding into the seat besides her. Bella shrugged. "Yeah. He's got a knack for bringing up stuff that doesn't matter anymore."

Edward studied her for a moment. "Doesn't matter?"

She met his gaze, her eyes steady. "Not in the way he wants it to. Whatever he's holding onto, that's his problem."

Edward nodded, appreciating her straightforwardness. "Good to know."

Bella smirked, her tone lightening. "Don't tell me you're jealous, Masen."

"Jealous? Of fucking Johnny Bravo back there?"

Bella couldn't help herself – she tossed her head back and laughed, and Edward smile, finding that he really liked that sound.

"Spot on, Masen," Bella said, and downed her drink, and Edward did the same. He shrugged and gave her a look. "I just find it weird the guys pissing on you."

"That's Jake's expertise – jackass-ery," Bella said cheekily, and Edward snorted. They decided then to head back to the table, just in time to see Emmett holding court at the center of the table, regaling everyone with a dramatic retelling of their earlier mission, complete with exaggerated sound effects. As they joined the booth, Jacob's eyes flickered briefly towards them, a flash of something unreadable crossing his face, but he kept quiet as Emmett boasted.

"So there I was," Emmett said, leaning forward, "distracting the two guards like a pro. Meanwhile, Jake's over there trying not to trip over his own feet."

Jacob scowled, but there was a trace of humor in his voice. "You've got it all wrong. I was covering your ass while you were busy playing Rambo."

"Sure, sure," Emmett said, grinning. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Rosalie rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "You two are like toddlers."

"And yet, you still hang out with us," Emmett shot back, raising his glass. "Cheers to that."

The table clinked their glasses together, the noise punctuated by Alice's laughter. "Honestly, it's a miracle we're functional adults," she said, taking a sip of her drink.

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, the team began to disperse. Alice was the first to stand, stretching dramatically. "Alright, nerds, I've got to get some sleep. Unlike you night owls, I need my beauty rest."

Emmett stood as well, tossing some cash on the table. "Same here. Big guys need their energy."

One by one, the team said their goodbyes, until only Bella, Edward, and Jacob remained. Jacob finished his drink and stood, giving Bella a quick nod. He seemed to have sobered up considerably from earlier. "You heading out?" he asked Bella, his eyes bouncing towards Edward. Bella shrugged. "Yeah, soon."

Jacob nodded, feeling the tension, and stood. "See you tomorrow."

The bar had quieted, the earlier boisterous energy replaced with the soft murmur of lingering patrons. Bella and Edward sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, the faint hum of music filling the gaps between their thoughts. Bella swirled the last of her drink in her glass, her eyes fixed on the amber liquid.

"So," she said finally, her tone lighter, "second day on the job. How are you holding up?"

Edward smirked, his fingers tapping idly against his empty glass. "It's been...eventful. I didn't expect to get into a shootout with one of the biggest drug syndicates within twenty-four hours of transferring."

Bella snorted. "Welcome to Intelligence, my friend. We don't do boring."

"I'm starting to see that," Edward said, leaning back slightly. He tilted his head, studying her. "You're good at what you do. The team respects you."

Bella shrugged, though a small, almost shy smile tugged at her lips. "They respect anyone who can hold their own. This team doesn't hand out loyalty for free."

Edward nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That's a good thing. It means it's worth something."

Bella glanced at him, her eyes softening. "It is."

A brief silence settled between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Edward broke it, his voice quieter now. "You and Jacob… there's a lot there." He didn't want to cause any kind of chaos outside of what they're already dealing with.

Bella's gaze flicked to him, then back to her glass. "Yeah. It's complicated, but, again, it's history… in the past."

Edward held her gaze for a moment longer, then nodded. "Past has a way of sticking around, though."

Bella's lips quirked in a half-smile. "Doesn't mean you have to let it weigh you down."

Edward took that in, appreciating her honesty. "You're right."

They sat for a moment longer, the unspoken settling between them. Bella finally slid out of the booth and stood, grabbing her jacket from the back of her seat.

"I should head out," she said, slipping the jacket on. "It's been a long day."

Edward stood as well, nodding. "Yeah, get some rest. See you tomorrow."

Bella gave him a small smile, one that seemed to carry more weight than her casual words. "Night, Masen."

"Night, Swan."

She walked toward the door, her footsteps light and unhurried. Edward watched her go, his mind turning over the events of the day. His new team, his new partner—they were nothing like he'd expected. They were better.

As the door closed behind Bella, Edward let out a slow breath. She was tough, sharp, and had a fire in her that reminded him why Bucannon had him join this unit in the first place. But beneath that, there was something else—something guarded, vulnerable.

Edward grabbed his jacket and headed out into the cool night air. The streets were quiet, the city resting in its late hour. He knew he had a lot to learn, not just about the team, but about himself. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was in the right place.

And he wasn't about to take that for granted.

If you ever have any questions, let me know :)