AN: Here's the second chapter :) Thanks for your reviews! I think you guys will like the next chapter after this one...
I feel like this disclaimer is needed, lol. This story contains a lot of theoretical, can-it/can-it-not happen concepts. A synthetic cytotoxin formed from Bella's enzyme, self-sustaining enzymes, uncontrollable biochemical weapons, etc. remains within the realm of science fiction. While some aspects are grounded in real-world science, others take some serious creative liberties. I study the human body, drugs and how they work in the body, and that's the scope of my expertise ;)
Anywhooooo...
The War: SYML
Jasper, still watching the screen, finally let out a low, bitter chuckle. "Okay, great. Love knowing we just narrowly avoided the fucking end of the world—but, uh, what's the play here?"
No one spoke—no one had really gotten that far.
This was a lot bigger than the six of them, and it had become blaringly clear.
Surprisingly, Bella was the first to speak, after taking a steadying breath. Her voice was small, uncertain, as she spoke, "We need to get to the main lab. My lab."
When they all turned to her, she continued.
"That's where my original research is. It's the foundation for everything they've developed. If they still have access to it, they can rebuild everything we've destroyed—and worse."
The room stayed eerily still. Bella could feel the pulse of realization moving through the group.
"If we don't take that place out," she continued, her throat tight, "none of this matters. They'll recover, re-engineer, and the next time, we won't be able to stop it."
Edward's jaw clenched, and his green eyes flicked between her and the rest of the team. His silence felt heavier than words. Finally, he exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face.
"That lab," he said, his voice low, "isn't just some side facility. It's a goddamn fortress. After tonight, they'll know we're coming. It'll be crawling with security—military-grade, high-tech, armed to the fucking teeth." He locked eyes with Bella. "This isn't just risky. It's suicide."
Bella swallowed, but she didn't waver. "I know," she said quietly. "But is there any other way?"
Edward stared at her, searching for an alternative. An escape hatch... something.
But there wasn't one.
His hands flexed at his sides before he looked away, his jaw tightening.
Alice, who had been quiet until now, tapped something on her screen. "She's right," she said, glancing up. "The main lab is the heart of Project Seraph. If we take that out, we don't just slow them down—we destroy them. They don't have another Bella."
Jasper let out a slow breath, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "It's not just about firepower. We're not kicking down the door and hoping for the best. We'll need precision—stealth, misdirection. One wrong move, and we're done."
"Then we don't make a wrong move," Emmett said simply. His usual cocky grin was gone, replaced with something harder. "If we're doing this, we do it. All in."
A heavy silence followed. No one dared to break it.
Edward's hand curled into a fist at his side. He looked at each of them, assessing, calculating, weighing the odds he already knew were stacked against them.
Finally, his gaze landed back on Bella. His expression was unreadable, but his voice—his voice was absolute.
"Fine," he said. "We do it." He exhaled sharply, like the words tasted bitter in his mouth. "But we plan this down to the second. No fuck-ups. No unnecessary risks. We make it airtight."
Bella's chest tightened, a mixture of relief and apprehension rushing through her.
Alice pulled up the schematics of the main lab, her fingers flying over the tablet as the layout unfolded in stark blue and white across the screen. The map was massive—a sprawling, fortress-like complex buried in layers of security, dead ends, and kill zones.
A long silence settled over the group as they took it in. This wasn't just a lab.
It was a fucking stronghold.
Alice exhaled sharply. "Alright," she said, her voice clipped and focused. "Here's what we're dealing with. The facility is divided into three primary sectors. Sector One: Research. That's where they've got Bella's original work. It's heavily monitored, meaning we won't get near it without setting off half their security grid."
Bella stared at the map, her stomach twisting. That was it. That was where her research—her life's work, the thing she'd spent years perfecting, the thing they had ripped away and twisted into a weapon—was being housed.
Alice continued, pulling up another layer of the map. "Sector Two: Production. This is where they're actively synthesizing the cytotoxin. We'll have to be super careful. If we're blowing this shit up, we can't be near it—we don't know how stable it'll remain after an explosion, and we don't want it latching onto us." She leveled them all with an intense look. "I'm talking a really fucking painful death here, guys."
The air in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.
"Sector Three: Security Operations. This is the control center. Surveillance, electronic locks, countermeasures—everything. This is the brain of the whole operation. We take out security first, or we're walking into a fucking meat grinder."
Rosalie leaned over the table, her sharp eyes scanning the blueprints. "Then that's where we start. Otherwise, we don't make it ten feet inside without alarms, backup, and a bullet between the eyes."
Alice nodded. "Exactly. Once we're in, we split into two teams." She tapped the tablet, zooming in. "Team One hits Security. I'm thinking Jazz, Em and Rose. Take out the surveillance, disable their communications, shut down the facility's defense systems. Team Two goes for Research. Secure Bella's files, pull what we need, and burn everything else."
Edward's voice cut through the room, steady but laced with iron. "And the cytotoxin?"
Alice hesitated, then looked up. "We level it."
Silence.
"We'll plant charges in Sector Two. Once we're out, we blow the whole fucking thing—again, once we're out of range."
Jasper let out a low whistle. "Subtle."
Emmett grinned, cracking his knuckles. "I'll bring the fireworks."
Bella clenched her fists, staring at the research sector again. Her research. She wanted it back—wanted it gone. She wanted it erased from existence so no one could ever twist it again.
Edward's voice was quiet as he spoke. "We've got one shot at this."
His gaze swept over the team, pausing briefly on her. "Everyone gets some rest. We leave at 1800 tomorrow." His expression darkened slightly. "Be ready."
No one countdown had begun.
…
The group had splintered off to eat and recharge—preparing for what lay ahead in the only ways they knew how. Alice was still glued to her laptop, running decryption programs on a second set of files, but with a bowl of soup perched beside her. Emmett was in the corner with Jasper, both of them stuffing their faces with whatever food he could find, while Edward paced near the window, deep in thought, his own sandwich in hand.
Bella sat on the worn-out couch, feeling the weight of everything settle onto her shoulders. Her mind was still spinning from all they had uncovered, but her body had other priorities—namely, food. She hadn't realized just how empty her stomach was until Rosalie plopped down beside her and shoved a sandwich into her hands.
"Eat," Rosalie ordered.
Bella didn't argue. She unwrapped the sandwich and took a bite, chewing slowly. "Thanks," she said, mouth half-full.
Rosalie stretched out, resting her elbows on the back of the couch, looking as unbothered as someone could be in their situation. "You're lucky," she said with a smirk. "I was about five seconds from giving this to Emmett. And once he gets his hands on food, it's over."
Bella chuckled, swallowing another bite. "Appreciate the save, then."
They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, Bella eating, Rosalie watching the others with an amused sort of detachment. Finally, Bella asked, "How do you guys do this? I mean… all the time?"
Rosalie arched a brow. "Do what?"
"This." Bella gestured vaguely around the room. "High-stakes missions, shootouts, breaking into high security places, almost dying multiple times a week. How do you just… get used to it?"
Rosalie shrugged, stretching out her legs. "You don't. You just get better at handling it. Besides... it's not a weekly thing." She looked amused as she said this.
Bella chewed on that, then shook her head. "But this isn't just some mercenary gig, right? I mean… this is next-level shit."
Rosalie let out a short laugh. "Yeah, no shit. This is probably a little above my pay grade." She paused, smirking at Bella before adding, "Especially since we're not getting fucking paid."
Bella snorted mid-bite and coughed, quickly covering her mouth. Rosalie snickered, shaking her head.
"So, you guys don't normally work together?" Bella asked after she recovered.
Rosalie shook her head. "Not like this, no. We're not a team in the traditional sense. We usually get hired for jobs—security contracts, high-risk extractions, corporate recoveries, that kind of thing. Nothing dirty, though," she added before Bella could ask. "We don't take jobs from criminals, warlords, or corrupt governments. It's not just about money—it's about having a line we won't cross."
Bella absorbed that. It made sense—none of them struck her as the type to do work they didn't morally align with.
"So this?" Bella gestured around them again. "Not a job?"
Rosalie shook her head. "Nope. More of a favor."
"For Edward?"
Rosalie let out a sigh. "Yeah. But also…" She glanced at the others around the cabin. "At first, it was just about helping him. Now? We're in too deep to walk away. This isn't just some gig. This is some 'save the world' type of shit."
Bella huffed a quiet laugh. "So what, you guys are your own brand of the Avengers now?"
"Yeah, sure. But with less funding and a lot more 'winging it.'"
Bella grinned, shaking her head. "And no cool suits."
Rosalie scoffed. "Speak for yourself. I look fucking amazing in tactical gear."
Bella laughed at this, loving that despite the immediate danger they were in, they could still laugh. It must be one of the only ways to survive a life like this, if she had to guess.
She finished her sandwich, licking a crumb off her thumb before glancing at Rosalie again. "So, why'd you say yes? I mean, I get why Edward's in this, but what about you?"
Rosalie's expression shifted slightly, something more serious flickering across her face. "Because at the end of the day, someone has to stop this. And if it has to be us, so be it." She paused. "Plus, I've lost count how many times Edward has saved my ass."
Bella studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Fair enough."
Rosalie stood, stretching. "Come on, nerd. Finish eating, then get some rest. You're going to need the energy."
Bella sighed but didn't argue. She took another bite, letting herself have this moment—because she had no idea how many more she'd get.
…
Thirty minutes later, the living room was completely quiet now, with the others having dispersed. Bella still sat on the couch, hunched forward, her elbows braced on her knees.
Jake lay at her feet, his body stretched out, ears twitching now and then at the softest sound. He wasn't asleep—Jake never fully slept when she was like this. He just watched her, his dark eyes half-lidded, waiting.
Bella exhaled, running a hand through his thick fur. "What am I gonna do with you, huh?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't just… leave you here."
Her throat tightened.
She didn't let herself think about it much—about the fact that there was a very real possibility she wouldn't come back—that none of them would. That tomorrow could be the last time she saw Jake, the last time she felt the solid weight of his head on her lap, the last time she looked into his knowing eyes and saw absolute trust.
She swallowed hard, blinking rapidly.
She had to make sure he was okay. If something happened to her, he needed someone.
Bella pushed up from the couch before she could talk herself out of it, her pulse spiking as she glanced toward the hallway. Muffled voices drifted from the kitchen—Alice and Rosalie, deep in words were low and rapid, the occasional sharp burst of laughter breaking were reminiscing about something—an old sting operation, said something that made Alice snort, and for a second, the tension in Bella's chest eased just enough to let her breathe.
They weren't paying attention. Now or never.
She moved quickly, crossing to the dining table where Rosalie's phone sat.
This is stupid. This is reckless.
Bella's fingers hesitated over the screen before she tapped in the passcode. Four numbers, stored in her eidetic memory from an absentminded flicker of Rosalie's hand earlier that night. The lock screen faded, and her heart hammered in her chest as she navigated to the dial pad.
The line rang. Once. Twice.
Then—
"Hello?"
Bella closed her eyes for half a second at the familiar voice.
She turned her back to the hallway, pressing the phone closer to her ear.
"James, it's me," she whispered, voice tight, urgent. "I need your help."
There was a beat of silence, then a sudden, sharp inhale on the other end of the line.
"Wait—what? Bella?! As in Dr. Isabella Swan, Bella? The one who's supposed to be very, very dead? Holy shit. Holy fuck. Are you a ghost? Did I just accidentally butt-dial the afterlife? Oh my god, are you calling to haunt me? I knew I should've deleted those old emails—"
"James," Bella hissed, barely keeping her voice down. "Keep your voice down, please, and focus."
"Oh, I'm sorry, focus? Dr. Swan, you're literally supposed to be a headline. You can't just call me from beyond the grave like some creepy, vengeful scientist and expect me to be chill! My heart's doing parkour right now—"
"James," she interrupted, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I swear to God, if you don't shut up and listen—"
There was a pause, then a rustling sound like he was pacing. "No, no, I'm listening! I'm totally listening. But this better be good, because I'm either in a coma, hallucinating, or I just got drafted into some high-stakes conspiracy thriller."
Bella took a quick breath, lowering her voice. "I don't have time to explain everything, but I need your help. It's serious."
James must have heard something in her tone, because when he spoke again, it was quieter. "Okay. What do you need?"
She exhaled, relief washing through her, though the weight in her chest didn't lift. "I need you to take Jake."
"Jake? As in your enormous, slightly terrifying, would-definitely-kill-for-you dog?" His voice shot back up in alarm. "Why? What's going on? Dr. Swan, are you in trouble? Like…international espionage kind of trouble? Because that is the only logical explanation for this entire conversation."
She gritted her teeth. "James—just trust me. I can't tell you anything right now, and I wouldn't be calling you if it wasn't life-or-death."
There was a long silence, then a muttered, "Jesus Christ." Another pause. Then, "Alright. Yeah. I'll do it. I mean, obviously. But just so we're clear—this is insane. And when this is over, you owe me the most batshit, plot-twisty explanation of my entire life."
Bella's throat tightened. She knew how much she was asking. She'd put him in the middle of something he couldn't even begin to understand. And yet, he was still agreeing.
"I promise," she said, softer now. "Thank you."
"Yeah, yeah. But if this turns out to be some elaborate prank, I'm gonna track you down and make sure the afterlife actually gets you next time."
Despite everything, Bella let out a small, breathless laugh. "It's not a prank."
"Uh-huh. I'll believe that when I don't wake up tomorrow with the CIA raiding my apartment." Then, quieter, almost hesitant, he added, "I'm… glad you're alive."
Bella took a deep breath. "For now. Look, I'll send you my location. Do not—and I mean do not—tell anyone where I am, or that I'm alive. There's a reason I'm dead right now."
"Right. My lips are sealed, Dr. Swan."
"Okay. Be careful, James."
Bella swallowed hard, then ended the call before she could say anything stupid. She quickly shared her location with him, then another short message for James to delete this number.
Quickly, she deleted the number from Rosalie's call and text log and set the phone back exactly where she found it, just as she heard footsteps approaching behind her.
This was the right choice.
Bella turned just in time to see Edward step into the room, his sharp gaze flicking between her and the phone resting on the counter. For a split second, her stomach clenched, but then she forced herself to relax. He hadn't seen her use it. He had no reason to suspect anything.
Still, his voice was low and firm. "You okay?"
Bella inhaled through her nose, nodding quickly. "Yeah," she said, too fast, before correcting herself with a small, forced chuckle. "Just needed a second."
Edward didn't look convinced, but he didn't push. Instead, he leaned against the edge of the table, crossing his arms over his chest. "It's a lot," he said simply.
Bella swallowed, trying not to fidget. "Yeah," she murmured, pressing a hand absently to her injured arm. The truth was, she barely felt it anymore. Maybe that should've worried her, but with everything else going on, the dull sting barely registered.
Edward's eyes flicked to the movement. "How's your arm?"
Bella glanced down, flexing her fingers. "Fine."
Edward lifted an eyebrow.
"I mean, considering I got grazed, it's fine," she amended, rolling her shoulder experimentally. "I don't really feel it as much."
His expression didn't change, but something about the way his jaw ticked made her stomach flip. "You don't feel it because your body is still running on adrenaline," he said, matter-of-fact but laced with something else—something closer to frustration. "Once that wears off, it's going to hit you."
Bella exhaled, rolling her eyes slightly. "I'll be fine, Edward. It's not like I lost a limb."
His gaze darkened, something unspoken flickering across his face. "That's not funny."
She blinked. His voice was even, but his hands had curled into fists at his sides, and she suddenly realized that this—her getting hurt—bothered him more than he was willing to admit.
Bella softened. "Hey," she said, tilting her head, keeping her voice low. "I mean it. I'm okay."
Edward studied her for a moment, as if weighing the truth in her words, then exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Just…" He shook his head. "We have to be careful tomorrow. I know you're focused on the mission, but don't do anything reckless."
Bella smiled, small but real. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Edward gave her a dry look. "Right. Because you're known for your caution."
Bella smirked. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Edward huffed out something that might have been amusement, shaking his head. A small silence stretched between them, but this time, it wasn't awkward. It just… was.
Bella shifted her weight, glancing down. Her voice was quieter when she spoke. "Do you ever think about what happens after this?"
Edward's expression flickered, his smirk fading as he ran his tongue over his teeth like he was weighing his answer. He exhaled slowly, glancing past her for a moment before meeting her eyes again. "No point."
Bella frowned. "Why not?"
His jaw tightened slightly. "Because it never plays out the way you think it will."
She let that sink in, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "Still," she murmured, toeing at a loose floorboard. "You have to think about it, at least a little."
Edward tilted his head, watching her. "Do you?"
Bella hesitated. "Yeah," she admitted. "Sometimes." She looked up at him, a little unsure. "I mean, it's hard not to, right? When everything's so…" She gestured vaguely around them. "This."
He exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "Yeah," he said finally. "It is."
Bella nodded, but something in her tightened. "I just hope it's enough," she murmured, mostly to herself.
Edward watched her for a beat, his expression unreadable. Then—so subtly she almost didn't register it—he reached out, his fingers barely brushing the inside of her wrist before trailing away. A fleeting touch, light as air, but enough to make her pulse stutter.
"It will be," he said quietly.