AN:Thank you for your reviews! Here we goo...
Control: Halsey
Bella closed the bathroom door behind her and leaned against it for a moment, letting out a long, steady breath. The tension from the morning's training was still coiled in her muscles, but it was a different kind of tension now—one born of exertion and accomplishment rather than fear. Her heart raced, but it wasn't entirely unpleasant. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt…capable.
She turned on the shower, letting the water run until steam began to fill the small space. Bella stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the shower, shivering briefly as the hot water hit her skin. Slowly, she let herself relax, her muscles loosening under the gentle pressure.
As the water cascaded over her, she tilted her head back, closing her eyes and letting the heat soak in. The grime and exhaustion of the morning's training washed away, and for a few precious moments, the chaos of her life felt muted.
Her thoughts drifted back to the training session. She replayed the moments where she had fumbled—then, the ones where she had gotten it right. She'd hit the targets. She'd surprised Edward with that takedown. The memory brought a small, triumphant smile to her lips.
Maybe I'm not as helpless as I thought.
But then, inevitably, her mind wandered to Edward. His steady voice guiding her, his hands adjusting her stance with ease, his expression flickering between stern focus and something softer whenever she made progress.
Bella groaned quietly, tilting her head forward so the water could mask her flushed cheeks.Of all the times for my brain to fixate on someone…
There was no denying it. Edward was ridiculously attractive.
And it wasn't just the obvious, magazine-cover looks that did it. It was the quiet confidence he carried, the way he stayed calm and in control even when everything else was falling apart. It was how his sharp gaze seemed to cut right through her, leaving her feeling both vulnerable and, somehow, safer than she had in days.
But now wasn't the time to get caught up in any of that.
Focus, Bella, she scolded herself. He's here to help you, not…whatever this is. Get it together.
Still, the memory of his smirk—the way it tugged at the corner of his mouth, sharp and fleeting—lingered stubbornly in her mind.
The shower stretched longer than she intended. The warmth, the solitude, and her drifting thoughts made the minutes blur together. Finally, when the water began to cool, she turned it off and grabbed a towel, wrapping it tightly around herself. She rubbed her hair dry, sighing when her gaze landed on the thrift store clothes folded on the counter.
With a grimace, Bella slipped back into the jeans and T-shirt she'd worn earlier.
"Perfect," she muttered under her breath, tugging the fabric into place. "Still as glamorous as ever."
She caught her reflection in the fogged-up mirror, her damp hair curling slightly at the ends, her cheeks still pink from the shower and…other thoughts. "I really need to talk to Edward about getting more clothes," she mumbled, running her fingers through her hair. The thrift store ensemble had been fine in an emergency, but wearing the same thing again made her feel distinctly unclean.
With a deep breath, she unlocked the bathroom door and stepped back into the hallway. One step at a time.
The cabin was quiet with the kind of silence that amplified every misplaced creak and rustle. Jake was nowhere in sight, likely snoozing in the bedroom. Bella stepped into the living room, still towel-drying her hair, but froze in her tracks when she saw someone standing there.
A man with shoulder-length blonde hair stood with his back to her, his stance relaxed, hands casually tucked into the pockets of a weathered leather jacket. He was tall and lean, his presence completely unfamiliar.
Bella's heart jumped into her throat. Her instincts from training kicked in, and she silently placed the towel down on a nearby chair. She crept forward, keeping her footsteps light, her heart hammering as she closed the distance between them.
Breathe. Focus.
The man hadn't noticed her yet, his attention seemingly elsewhere. Bella's pulse roared in her ears as she crept closer, every nerve screaming for her to act. She only had the few hours she'd spent with Edward under her belt—but there was no time to overthink. It was now or never.
Taking a deep breath, she hooked her arm around his neck and yanked backward, her grip trembling, but determined. As she pivoted her weight to drive her hip into his, he shifted, his stance unexpectedly steady. For a split second, she panicked, her movements faltering.
"Really?" he muttered, sounding more amused than alarmed.
Fueled by a mix of adrenaline and sheer determination, Bella dug her heels in and adjusted her angle. Her second attempt wasn't perfect—her balance wavered, and she nearly tripped herself—but it worked. The man stumbled, caught off guard, and hit the floor with a loud grunt.
Bella followed through, pinning him down with more force than finesse. Her knee pressed against his chest, but her breathing was ragged, her arms trembling slightly from the effort.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice steadier than she expected.
The man blinked up at her, his eyes wide—not in fear, but surprise. Then, to her utter disbelief, he burst out laughing—throaty chuckles vibrating his chest.
Bella blinked, her grip on him loosening slightly. "What the hell is so funny?" she demanded, a mix of offense and bewilderment in her tone.
The man's laughter was deep and genuine, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement. "You—you took me down," he said between chuckles, his deep southern drawl softening his words. "Didn't see that coming."
Bella's mouth opened and closed as she tried to process his reaction. She was half-tempted to dig her knee deeper into his chest just to wipe that grin off his face but before she could decide, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Well, this is a sight," Edward said, leaning casually against the doorway with a smirk, entirely too pleased.
Bella's head snapped up, her cheeks flushing. "You know this guy?" she asked, still keeping her knee pressed firmly against the man's chest.
Edward nodded, his smirk growing. "Bella, meet Jasper. He's an old friend."
Bella's eyes narrowed as she glanced down at the man—Jasper—who was still grinning up at her. He didn't seem hostile, and Edward's words were enough to convince her that he wasn't a threat. With a reluctant sigh, she eased off, extending a hand to help him up.
Jasper took her hand, pulling himself to his feet with an easy grace. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Bella," he said, voice warm and friendly. "You've got quite the technique."
Bella crossed her arms, still eyeing him warily. "Yeah, well. You scared me."
Jasper chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I apologize, ma'am. Didn't mean to startle you. Edward didn't tell me you'd be so quick on your feet."
Edward pushed off the doorway, strolling toward them with his usual unhurried confidence. "Jasper's here to help," he said, nodding toward the man still dusting himself off. "He's got experience with… certain situations."
Bella raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking between the two of them. "NSA?"
Jasper grinned. "Nah, that's Eddie's thing."
Edward scowled at the nickname, shooting his friend a sharp look. "Don't call me that."
Bella smirked, momentarily distracted by their dynamic. "Eddie? Really?"
"It's got a ring to it, doesn't it?"
Edward ignored him, his focus shifting back to Bella.
Her smile faded as she gestured toward Jasper. "You could've warned me. Maybe told me not to tackle the guy who could probably snap me in half?"
Edward's lips quirked upward, entirely unapologetic. "I didn't think you'd try to take him down—a former Legionnaire, by the way." His tone was impressed, and Bella felt something in her chest swell. Then she backtracked at what he said, balking just slightly.
Bella blinked, her jaw dropping slightly. "Legionnaire?" Her gaze shifted to Jasper, who gave her a casual two-fingered salute, as if this were a completely normal introduction. The ex-title resonated, stirring a faint recognition. French Foreign Legionnaires—they were the soldiers you called for impossible missions, the ones who thrived where others faltered. They didn't just survive chaos; they mastered it.
Her chest tightened at the realization. Him being here wasn't just overkill—it was a stark reminder of how precarious her situation truly was.
Great, she thought wryly. Apparently, I'm in enough danger to warrant my own action movie cast. Starring an infuriatingly good looking man with "professional brooder" as a skill and a Texas chaos agent straight out of a high-stakes thriller.
Sweet.
"Well, that explains why you didn't hit the floor like a normal person," she muttered, shaking her head. "I'm surprised I even got you down at all."
Jasper's grin widened, his tone warm but teasing. "Let's just say it's been a while since anyone's caught me off guard. You've got some grit, I'll give you that."
Bella shot him a skeptical look, crossing her arms. "Yeah, well, don't get used to it. Next time, I'll aim lower."
Jasper's grin didn't falter. "Fair deal."
Edward let out a low chuckle. "I wouldn't bet against her, Jasper. She's a fast learner."
Bella felt a flush creep up her neck and quickly covered it with a roll of her eyes. "You two are something else," she muttered, turning toward the kitchen to hide the small, reluctant smile tugging at her lips.
…
Jasper leaned casually against the kitchen counter. "I brought some supplies," he said, gesturing toward the duffel bags he had placed near the door. "Clothes, food, a few more weapons…oh, and something for Jake."
At the mention of his name, Jake trotted over, sniffing curiously at the bags. Jasper reached down, pulling out a bright red squeaky toy and tossing it to him. Jake caught it mid-air, immediately chomping down with enthusiasm, the high-pitched squeaks filling the room.
Bella managed a small smile at the simple gift. "Oh, wow… thanks, Jasper. I really appreciate it."
"Don't mention it," Jasper said. "Edward told me you were in a tight spot. Figured you could use a little help."
As Bella began sorting through the clothes, Jasper's tone shifted slightly, more serious now. "You've made quite the buzz on the news, by the way."
Bella frowned, looking up. "Buzz? What do you mean?"
Jasper glanced at Edward, who sighed, his expression grim. "You should see for yourself."
Edward grabbed the remote from the table and turned on the small, outdated television in the corner. The screen flickered to life, and he quickly switched to a news channel. The moment the image appeared, Bella's breath caught in her throat.
The headline at the bottom of the screen read:"Prestigious Scientist Found Dead in Her Apartment in Apparent Suicide."
Her photo stared back at her—smiling, polished, professional—a headshot from an award ceremony years ago. The news anchor's voice was solemn, detailing the "tragic loss" of Dr. Isabella Swan, a rising star in the scientific community.
Bella stumbled back onto the couch as though the air had been knocked from her lungs. The world seemed to tilt, the words on the screen blurring as tears welled in her eyes. The voice of the anchor became a faint sound as she recounted Bella's "brilliant contributions to cancer research" and her "shocking and untimely end."
Her mind refused to process what she was seeing.
They think I'm dead. Her parents. Her friends. Her colleagues. Everyone would believe the lie staring back at her from the screen.
Edward stepped closer, his voice cautious. "Bella?"
She didn't respond, her gaze fixed on the television. Her thoughts spiraled, crashing together in a chaotic torrent. My parents.The image of her mother's tear-streaked face, her father's stoic but shattered expression, hit her like a physical blow.
The helplessness was suffocating. Her entire life had been hijacked, twisted into a grotesque version of itself. She had no control, no voice, no way to tell the people she loved that she was still alive.
The truth behind Edward's words from the night before—you can't trust anyone, not even the police—settled over Bella like a lead blanket. Now, in the cold light of day, the warning felt all too real.
Her so-called death hadn't just been a convenient story; it had been a masterfully orchestrated lie, one that couldn't have been pulled off without deep-rooted involvement from law enforcement or powerful players within the system. Police reports falsified. Coroner records fabricated. Someone had gone to extraordinary lengths to erase her existence, and the thought sent a chill down her spine.
Whether it had been orchestrated by the NSA—acting to protect their secrets—or Victoria, pulling strings to cover her tracks, Bella wasn't sure she'd ever know. But the outcome was the same: her life, her identity, had been stolen, repackaged, and buried.
"They think I killed myself," she whispered, her voice cracking.
Edward's jaw tightened, but he stayed silent.
Her chest heaved. "They think I'm dead," she repeated, her voice rising. "They think I killed myself, Edward. How could they do this? How could they make it so… final?"
The room fell into a suffocating silence, the two men looking on at her with sincerity and pity she didn't want. Bella ran a hand through her hair, her fingers trembling. "Everything I've worked for—my life, my family, my career—gone in an instant. Just erased like it was nothing." Her tone was steady now, but her words carried the sharp edge of despair.
"They haven't erased you," Edward said sharply. "You're still here."
Bella turned to him, her eyes narrowing. "Am I? To everyone I've ever known, I'm gone. I don't exist anymore. They'll never know the truth." Her voice cracked despite her effort to hold it together.
But she was exhausted. So painfully exhausted.
Edward stepped closer, crouching slightly to meet her gaze. "You're alive, Bella.That's the truth that matters."
She scoffed bitterly, shaking her head. "And what does that mean? I can't call my parents. I can't step outside without looking over my shoulder. I'm just… what? A ghost?"
Jasper, who had been leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, finally spoke. "It's all temporary. They've erased your name, Bella, not you. You're still breathing. That means this fight isn't over—not by a long shot."
Bella's gaze flicked to Jasper, then settled back on Edward. Her voice was tight, barely audible. "It doesn't feel like that. It feels like they've already won. I mean, they've taken...everything… it's all gone. I don't even know where to start."
Edward's jaw tightened, and for a moment, he didn't say anything. Then, with deliberate calm, he stepped closer, his eyes locked on hers. "You start by getting pissed," he said, forcing the fire into her veins. "You've got every right to feel like shit right now, but sitting in it isn't going to get you anywhere. You want to fight this? Use it. The fear, the anger—all of it."
Bella looked between the two of them, her heart still pounding. She felt like a frayed wire, sparking in all directions. But there was something about their certainty, their resolve, that grounded her.
"Fine," she said finally, her voice clipped, but steadier than before. "Then tell me what the hell we do now."
Edward's expression was hard, but reassuring. Determined. "We get to work," he said simply. "We continue to train. We plan. And when the time comes, we make damn sure they regret ever starting this."
Bella's stomach twisted at the sheer enormity of his words. It felt impossible, what they were trying to do. As a scientist, she thrived on logic—in clear hypotheses, meticulous methods, tangible results. But this? This was chaos, a world where feasibility was a distant memory. The future now loomed like an unstable compound teetering at the edge of a chain reaction, one wrong move away from catastrophic results.
But Edward's calm, his unflinching resolve, was an anchor, however tenuous. She nodded slowly, the lump in her throat tightening, but she forced it down.
The fear and grief were still there, gnawing at the edges of her resolve, but beneath them was something new. Small, barely flickering, but undeniable: defiance.
She squared her shoulders, lifting her chin ever so slightly. "Let's do it," she said, her voice stronger than she expected.
Jasper, still leaning casually against the wall, allowed a small smirk to creep across his face. He exchanged a quick glance with Edward, who gave the faintest nod in return. Jasper had been briefed on Bella before arriving—Edward had shared what he could about the situation, about her. But seeing her like this, with fire flickering behind her eyes despite everything she'd endured, was something else entirely. He hadn't been expecting this kind of fight from the unassuming doctor, this quiet resilience that seemed to grow stronger with each hit she took.
They could try to erase her, to bury her life under layers of lies and betrayal. But they'd underestimated her.
Bella Swan wasn't going down without a fight.
…
Later that night, the fire crackled softly in the small cabin's hearth, casting flickering shadows across the walls. It was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves outside and Jake's soft snores from his spot near the couch.
Bella sat at the kitchen table, her hands wrapped around a warm mug of tea. The steam curled lazily into the air, but she barely noticed, her thoughts far away. She had meant for the drink to soothe her, but her mind was too restless to find comfort.
Edward was across from her, his focus on a disassembled handgun he was meticulously cleaning. His movements were methodical, almost meditative. The firelight danced over his features, sharpening the angles of his jaw, the slight furrow in his brow. It was a sight she'd seen in bits and pieces before, but tonight, she found herself watching more closely.
Jasper had left earlier to take care of a few things, leaving Bella alone with Edward. She hadn't minded at first—silence had seemed like a welcome reprieve after the day's events. But now, as the quiet stretched, her curiosity gnawed at her.
She realized, with a pang of guilt, that while she had been mourning her world falling apart, she hadn't even considered what kind of world he must live in. What he left behind.
Bella cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "Edward?"
His hands stilled briefly, his sharp green eyes flicking up to meet hers. "Yeah?"
She hesitated, feeling suddenly self-conscious under his steady gaze. "Can I ask you something?"
Edward's brow arched slightly, but he nodded. "Sure."
She set her mug down, her fingers brushing over the rim as she considered her words. "How can you do this? I mean, just… upend your entire life to help me?"
Edward didn't answer right away. His gaze dropped back to the gun in his hands, his fingers working as if he needed the distraction. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, careful. "It's not as big of a change as you think. My life's always been… flexible."
Bella frowned, leaning forward. "What does that mean?"
Edward sighed, setting the gun parts down and wiping his hands on a cloth. "It means I don't have much tying me down. No family, no real home. Just the job."
The simplicity of his answer made her chest ache. "No family? At all?"
He shook his head. "Not anymore. My parents died when I was young. After that, it was foster care. Bounced around a lot. It wasn't exactly… a great fit."
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
Edward shrugged, but there was a tightness in his expression. "It was a long time ago. I learned to take care of myself."
Bella's gaze softened as she studied him. "And friends? You've got Jasper, but…anyone else?"
Edward hesitated again, his jaw tightening. "Jasper's one of the few people I trust. We've been through a lot together. But friends…not really. It's hard to build connections when you're always moving, always looking over your shoulder."
Bella nodded slowly, her chest tightening. She couldn't imagine living like that, always on guard, never able to let anyone in. "That sounds…" She paused, searching for the right word. "Lonely."
Edward's eyes met hers, a flicker of something vulnerable passing through his expression. "It is," he admitted quietly.
"Why do you do it, then? Why put yourself through that?"
Edward leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant. "Because someone has to. The world's full of people who'll do anything for power, for control. People like that don't stop unless someone stops them." He paused, his voice quieter. "And because it's the only thing I know how to do."
Bella's heart ached. She'd thought her life had been irreparably fractured, but Edward's was a series of broken pieces he had somehow stitched together to keep moving forward. And yet, despite it all, here he was—helping her, protecting her, standing on morals his superiors had long since gotten rid of.
"Thank you," she said after a pause, her voice earnest. "For everything. I know I've been a bit of a mess, but I'm trying. I really am."
"You're doing more than trying, Bella. You're handling this better than most people would."
Bella snorted, shaking her head. "I don't know about that. I feel like I'm barely holding it together most of the time."
"That's normal," Edward said, leaning forward slightly. "I'd be concerned if you didn't feel that way."
They sat quietly for a while, the crackle of the fire filling the space between them. Bella turned her mug in her hands, her thoughts lingering on everything Edward had shared. The weight he carried, the sacrifices he had made—it all painted a picture of someone who had endured more than anyone should have to.
And yet, he was here.
She glanced at him, studying the subtle lines of his face, the way his focus seemed to drift for a moment as if lost in his own thoughts.
"You know," she said, breaking the silence again, her tone lighter than before, "you're not as intimidating as you try to be."
Edward looked at her, one brow quirking in curiosity. "Oh? And here I thought I was terrifying."
Bella smirked, the corner of her lips curling up. "Well, maybe not terrifying. But you do have this whole 'I could take down a room of bad guys with one hand tied behind my back' vibe."
A quiet chuckle escaped Edward, his eyes glinting with amusement. "That's… oddly specific."
She shrugged, feigning innocence. "Just calling it like I see it."
His smirk deepened, and he leaned back slightly in his chair. "I guess there are worse reputations to have."
Bella rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small laugh that bubbled up. "Yeah, okay. I'm just trying to say you're not as scary as you seem. Because you were kinda intense when I first met you."
Edward tilted his head, his gaze softening. "Scary, huh? That's the impression I give?"
"Well…" Bella hesitated, a faint blush creeping into her cheeks. "It's not just scary. You're... I don't know. Like I said, uh... intimidating? Like you've got this whole 'don't-mess-with-me' energy going on."
He laughed again, the sound low and warm. "I'll take it. Could come in handy."
Bella grinned, shaking her head. "It wasn't exactly meant as a compliment."
"No? What was it meant as?"
Bella shrugged again, unable to stop the smile tugging at her lips. "Astute observation." She turned a finger to point at herself. "Scientist, remember?"
He nodded, a hint of humor still lingering in his eyes. "Fair enough."
Their laughter faded into a comfortable quiet, the air between them lighter now. For the first time in what felt like forever, Bella felt a flicker of something close to normal—peaceful, even. It was fleeting, but she held onto it, grateful for the moment.