AN: Thank you all for your patience and your reviews! :)
Shelter: Ray LaMontagne
After the plan was set, the group dispersed to their own corners of the gallery to prepare. Edward and Jasper lingered by the weapons cache, going over their gear in low voices. Alice returned to her setup upstairs, tinkering with their communication systems. Bella, however, found herself gravitating toward the main gallery downstairs. Jake followed her, his nails clicking softly against the polished concrete floor.
The gallery was eerily quiet, its high ceilings amplifying every sound. Bella wandered aimlessly between the paintings, her eyes catching on a massive canvas depicting a stormy sea. The waves, painted in shades of turbulent blue and gray, collided violently with streaks of white foam.
It was chaos contained in a frame, and Bella couldn't help but feel an odd kinship with the turmoil it represented. She, too, was caught in the storm—her life, her choices, everything she'd built, torn apart by forces far beyond her control.
Jake pressed his nose against her leg, sensing her unease. Bella reached down, scratching behind his ears absently.
How did it come to this?
A week ago, she'd been living life mundanely as a scientist, confident in her work and her purpose. Now she was running like a fugitive, caught in a deadly game she didn't fully understand. Tomorrow's mission felt monumental, and though she was determined, doubt lingered at the edges of her mind.
"Admiring the storm?" a voice said from behind her.
Bella jumped slightly, turning to see Alice standing there, smirking. "Hey, Dead Girl," Alice added, crossing her arms.
Bella blinked, caught off guard by the nickname. "Dead Girl?"
Alice shrugged, leaning against the wall."Well, the world thinks you're six feet under. Figured I'd make it official."
Bella huffed out a laugh, though it was tinged with exhaustion. "I can't tell if that's funny or just really depressing."
"Why not both?" Alice quipped, stepping closer. Her smirk softened, her tone dipping into something more genuine. "How are you holding up, though? I mean, considering your whole life got flipped upside down."
Bella let out a sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Honestly? It's like I'm stuck in someone else's nightmare. I keep waiting to wake up, but... this is real. And it's a lot."
Alice nodded, her expression uncharacteristically earnest. "Yeah, it's a shitshow, no doubt. But you're handling it. More than most would. You're still here, and that's saying something."
Bella managed a faint smile. "I just—I don't want to mess this up. Too many people are counting on us." On me.
Alice studied her for a moment, then gestured to the storm painting. "People survive storms all the time. They bend, they adapt, and they keep moving. You will too."
Bella glanced back at the canvas, the chaotic waves suddenly looking a little less daunting. "I hope so."
For a moment, silence settled between them, the kind that felt oddly comforting. Then Alice's smirk returned, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "So… you and Edward, huh?"
Bella's head whipped around, her cheeks instantly heating. It was the last thing she'd expected Alice to say, despite realizing how blunt the woman was. "Wait, what? No. There's no—nothing—" she stammered, her voice an octave higher than usual.
Alice raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Uh-huh. Sure. Because I didn't see the way you looked at him earlier. Or the way he looks at you, for that matter."
Bella groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Alice, please stop."
"Hey, I'm just saying, Dead Girl. You've got some chemistry there. And trust me, I'm rarely wrong about these things."
Bella peeked through her fingers, still flushed. "Can we focus on, I don't know, saving the world instead of my nonexistent love life?"
"Fine, fine," Alice relented, though the smirk never left her face. "But don't be surprised if the world's end comes with a side of romance. Shit's spicier that way."
Bella snorted out a laugh, trying to brush it off, but her thoughts lingered. It was true, wasn't it? She had noticed him—the way his green eyes seemed to darken when he was deep in thought, the way he moved with quiet confidence, his presence so reassuring. And despite everything—the fear, the danger—she'd actually enjoyed their time together.
There was something about Edward that made her feel… comforted—grounded. That alone was surprising. She wasn't used to leaning on anyone, let alone someone as guarded and enigmatic as him. But he was always there, steady and purposive, his focus unwavering as he fought to protect her. That determination, that selflessness—it only added to the fire that had been steadily building inside her.
The feelings scared her a little, mostly because they were so unexpected. She hadn't come into this thinking about anything but survival, about stopping the nightmare she'd inadvertently helped create.
But now?
Now, she couldn't help but notice the quiet moments in between the madness, the way Edward's voice softened when he talked to her, or the way he stole glances when he thought she wasn't looking. Those moments stayed with her, burned into her mind like embers refusing to die out.
Jake let out a soft huff, wagging his tail as he pressed against Bella's leg again. She looked down at him, smiling despite the raging embarrassment she felt flush throughout her whole body. "One mission at a time," she murmured.
"Fair enough. But just so you know, storms have a way of clearing things out, making room for something new. You never know what'll come after."
Bella nodded, Alice's words sinking in deeper than she felt comfortable admitting. Whatever was happening between her and Edward—whatever it could become—wasn't something she could afford to focus on now. But denying it outright felt like a lie she wasn't ready to tell herself.
Either way, uncertainty loomed over them, shadowing every step and lingering at every turn. But if there was one thing she was determined about—she wouldn't let it drown her. Whatever came next, she'd face it—feelings and all—without letting it pull her under.
...
Not long after, they all piled into Alice's Jeep. The sun had now dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky awash in deep purples and grays.
In the front seat, Alice was driving, her eyes flicking between the road and the rearview mirror. Jasper sat beside her, his usual relaxed posture slightly more alert, though his hand rested near hers on the console. Their fingers didn't touch, but they lingered close, a quiet tension between them that Bella couldn't help but notice.
Bella's gaze drifted downward, her eyes landing on her own hand, resting limply beside her thigh. Edward's hand was close, his fingers loosely curled, the back of his knuckles brushing the leather seats. The small, unintentional closeness felt charged, and for a moment, Bella wondered what it would feel like if they bridged the small gap.
She glanced at him discreetly. Edward's face was sharp in profile, his jaw set, his eyes scanning the darkened landscape outside the window. His every movement radiated vigilance, as though he was ready to spring into action at the first sign of danger.
He never lets his guard down, Bella thought, her chest tightening. There was something both admirable and heartbreaking about it, this constant vigilance that seemed to define him.
As though sensing her gaze, Edward shifted slightly, his head turning just enough for his green eyes to meet hers. The dim light of the car did nothing to dull their sharpness; his gaze was penetrating, cutting through the quiet as if he could see the thoughts. Bella's breath hitched quietly, her face flushing hot under his scrutiny.
She quickly looked away, pretending to find the passing trees outside her window endlessly fascinating. But the heat in her cheeks lingered, and the rapid thrum of her heart refused to settle.
Between her legs, Jake stirred, his ears twitching as he looked up at her. She reached down to scratch behind his ears, grateful for the distraction, though her hand trembled slightly.
Edward's gaze lingered for a beat longer. His expression was hard to read—curiosity, perhaps, or something deeper—but he eventually turned back to the road without a word. The silence stretched between them, thick with the unspoken, leaving Bella to sit with the tangled mess of emotions she couldn't quite untangle.
They eventually pulled into a narrow gravel driveway, the Jeep coming to a smooth stop in front of an unassuming brick building. It was set back from the road, partially obscured by tall trees and surrounded by a high, reinforced fence. To anyone passing by, it would look like an ordinary, forgotten structure—nothing to catch the eye or raise suspicion.
"We're here," Alice said, cutting the engine and slipping out. Bella opened her own door, letting Jake jump out first before she followed him.
They all followed Alice into her home. When Bella stepped inside, she blinked, surprised by the familiarity of the space. The home was almost an extension of the art gallery they had left behind. Exposed brick walls and steel beams framed the open-concept living area. High ceilings with industrial-style lighting cast a warm but minimalist glow. One wall was covered in shelves filled with neatly organized books and files. Another was lined with artwork—abstract pieces and a few black-and-white photographs of cityscapes.
The furniture was modern and sleek: a large sectional couch in muted gray, a glass coffee table, and a few scattered chairs with clean, angular designs. The kitchen was separated by a long island, its black granite countertop spotless and gleaming under the lights. In the center of the room, a spiral staircase wound its way up to a loft area.
Bella glanced around, taking in the subtle touches that made the space personal despite its stark design. A small potted plant sat on the windowsill, thriving against all odds in its industrial home. A soft, well-worn throw blanket was draped over the arm of the couch. And, tucked into a corner of the bookshelf, a framed photo of Alice and Jasper, both grinning widely, caught her attention.
"Welcome to my humble abode," Alice said with a grin, dropping her bag onto the counter. "It's not much, but the security's tight, and the coffee machine's state-of-the-art."
"It's nice," Bella said quietly, though she found herself oddly comforted by the understated charm of the space.
"It's secure," Edward added, his gaze sweeping the room as he walked in behind her. "That's what matters."
Jasper leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. "Nice digs, Alice. You get all this off your sniper salary?"
Alice shot him a look, her lips quirking. "Some of us know how to invest, Jazz. You should try it sometime."
"Yeah, I'll get right on that. After this whole stopping-the-apocalypse thing."
Alice clapped her hands, breaking the moment. "All right. Sleeping arrangements: two extra bedrooms. Bella gets one. You two"—she pointed at Jasper and Edward—"can fight it out for the other. And if you bleed on my floors, I'm not cleaning it."
"Eddie can have it. I'll take the couch," Jasper said, and him and Alice shared a long look.
Alice arched an eyebrow, glancing between them before shrugging. "Suit yourselves. Just keep it quiet. I like my walls bullet-free."
She turned toward the kitchen, pulling open cabinets with the ease of someone who knew every inch of the space. "Now, let's eat. I'm starving."
Jasper pushed off the counter, following her. "I'll help."
Alice raised an eyebrow but smirked. "Sure, Jazz. You know where everything is."
Bella watched the two of them head to the kitchen, their quiet banter picking up as Jasper opened cabinets and Alice began pulling out ingredients. She smiled to herself, noting the easy rhythm they seemed to fall into, the way Jasper leaned a little too close and Alice didn't pull away.
Her quiet observation was interrupted by the sound of soft footsteps behind her. She glanced up to find Edward standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable but his green eyes steady on hers.
"Good setup," he said, his voice low. He nodded toward the walls. "We'll be safe here for now."
Bella straightened, her fingers still threading through Jake's fur. "Do you think they'll send more people?" she asked softly, the weight of the question pressing on her chest.
Edward's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "They'll regroup. Maybe not tonight, but soon. That's why we need to move fast."
Bella nodded, though the pit in her stomach remained. "Right." She settled onto the couch, pulling her legs up underneath her and wrapping her arms loosely around herself. "So," she said, her voice lighter in an effort to lift the tension, "how did you meet Jasper and Alice?"
Edward leaned back slightly, his eyes meeting hers with a hint of contemplation. "I've known Alice for years. She's not exactly… conventional. She runs in a lot of circles, has her own way of doing things. When I needed outside help for this, she was my first call."
Bella tilted her head, curiosity sparking. "Outside help? So she's not… an agent?"
Edward smirked faintly. "Far from it. Alice works for herself. She's a fixer, a tech genius with a talent for finding the unfindable and solving problems most people wouldn't touch. We've crossed paths a few times on cases where… let's just say the lines between official and unofficial got blurry."
"And Jasper?" Bella asked, glancing toward the kitchen where soft voices carried as Alice and Jasper spoke.
"Jasper's different. Ex-Legionnaire, though you wouldn't know it from how calm he usually is. He's tactical, sharp, someone you want in your corner when things get messy. I ran into him on an op overseas a while back, and we kept in touch. He's… adaptable."
Bella's brow furrowed. "So they're not a team?"
Edward shook his head. "Not in the traditional sense. They've worked together before—Alice ropes Jasper in when she needs his skills, and I've done the same. But this?" He gestured vaguely around them. "This is different. I pulled them into this because they're the best at what they do. And because I trust them."
Bella considered his words, nodding slowly. "You must have a lot of faith in them to bring them into something like this."
"I do," Edward said, his tone steady. "But make no mistake, Bella—this isn't a walk in the park for any of us. Alice and Jasper aren't doing this for fun, and they're not part of some official operation. They're here because they believe in the cause—and because I asked."
Bella glanced down at Jake, who had sprawled at her feet, tail thumping lazily. "Sounds like a lot of favors being called in."
Edward's smirk returned, softer this time. "Let's just say I owe them a few. And they owe me. It balances out."
Bella hummed softly, her mind turning over his words. The way he spoke about Alice and Jasper, there was no mistaking the trust and respect he had for them. But the undercurrent of tomorrow's mission—the unspoken danger—kept creeping into her thoughts, and her hands tightened around her knees.
Edward noticed, his sharp gaze catching the small movement. He leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on his knees. "What's on your mind, Bella?"
She hesitated, unsure how to voice the storm of emotions swirling in her chest. "Just… the lab," she admitted finally. "I'm scared. I know what's at stake, but it feels like every step we take is walking a tightrope, and one wrong move…" She trailed off, her throat tightening.
Edward's expression softened further, a rare vulnerability flickering in his eyes. "You'll be okay," he said firmly. "We'll be okay."
Bella smiled faintly, appreciating the reassurance but still feeling the knot of fear inside her. Edward must have sensed she needed a distraction because he leaned back, tilting his head slightly. "Tell me about your childhood," he said suddenly, his voice gentle but curious.
The question caught her off guard. "My childhood?" she echoed, blinking.
"Yeah," Edward said, his lips quirking into a small smile. "What was Bella Swan like before all of this? What did you dream about? What made you happy?"
Bella hesitated, surprised by the tenderness of the question. She took a deep breath, her fingers threading absentmindedly through Jake's fur. "I grew up in a small town. My parents were amazing—kind, supportive, a little overprotective at times, but I didn't mind. They always believed in me, you know? My mom used to call me her little scientist."
She paused, her voice growing quieter. "I used to spend hours in my room building these little science experiments. I'd mix baking soda and vinegar just to watch it bubble over, or try to catch bugs to study under this tiny microscope my dad got me one Christmas. They encouraged me every step of the way."
Edward listened intently, his eyes never leaving her face. But as Bella continued, her voice faltered. "They don't even know I'm alive," she whispered, her throat tightening. "They think I'm dead. They're grieving right now, and I can't—I can't do anything to stop it."
A tear slipped down her cheek, followed by another. Bella swiped at them angrily, frustrated with herself. "Damn it," she muttered, her voice thick. "I don't want to cry. I don't have time for this."
Edward stood abruptly, moving to her side without hesitation. Bella was startled when he sat beside her, his arms wrapping around her shoulders firmly. He didn't say anything, didn't try to offer platitudes.
He just held her.
For a moment, Bella froze, her breath catching. But then she felt the steady rise and fall of his chest, the warmth of his presence, and the tension in her body melted away. She leaned into him, her face pressing against his shoulder as the tears came freely.
"It's okay," Edward murmured quietly, his voice low and soothing in a way Bella hadn't been privy to yet. "Let it out. You don't have to hold it all in."
Bella clung to him, her grief pouring out in quiet sobs. It was messy and raw, but she felt a small measure of relief from it. The storm inside her didn't feel so all-consuming anymore.
After a while, the tears slowed, and Bella pulled back slightly, wiping at her face. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, embarrassed.
"Don't be," Edward said softly, his eyes holding hers. "You've been carrying a lot, Bella. You're allowed to feel it."
Bella managed a small smile, her heart lighter despite the lingering ache. "Okay. Thanks, Edward," she whispered.
Edward stayed beside her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. In that moment, with the quietness of the room around them and the warmth of his presence, Bella felt overwhelmed with hope.